Immortal Sinners Black Dagger Brotherhood

We all knew that Ehl was struggling with the death of Rehv, and rightfully so. I’ve been there. I understood. I can even say that the thought of suicide passed through my thoughts any number of times. But, there are so many reasons not to, no matter how difficult it is to go on. At the moment, I was having a hard time seeing through the 101 reasons why I should be angry at her for all of this. First and foremost, there was Maddy. What if Ehl had succeeded? Maddy just lost her sire, had to take on the colony without the proper training, and then the suicide of her mahmen? She never would have come back from that. Let alone that now she has to come back from it all, with her mahmen surviving, knowing that her mahmen would prefer to leave this world AND not even get into The Fade to be with Rehv. Her mahmen would rather be in limbo than here. How does that hit a person? I don’t even know how I’m going to tell her.

Turning to LW I asked him to give me all the details. He explained to me how he had been asked by Doc Jane to check on Ehlena, because she hadn’t shown up for her shift. He told me of arriving in Ehlena’s room and discovering her in a pile of blood, head cracked wide open, by an obvious self-inflicted wound. He had brought her down to the med suite and Doc Jane immediately took over treatment. That was when he called me.

LW was weak and angry and it could hear it in his voice. As soon as he was finished giving me all the details, I sent him to his suite, promising I would send Nalla up when she was free.

I paced back and forth in the hallway for a good ten minutes before Doc Jane came by. I let her know that Nalla was in with Ehl and asked her to tell me all she knew. Even though some of the medical terminology was above my head, Doc Jane did a good job of giving me the big picture. Big picture: Ehlena was going to be on suicide watch for a while. We discussed treatment options and how to move forward. As much as Ehlena was going to hate it. She was going to be sequestered to a special room in the med suite for a bit. Manny was setting it up now. We didn’t often get anyone on suicide watch… actually, the last time was probably me, even though I never attempted it, people were concerned. So, Manny was setting up a room with no options for hurting herself. It was pretty much going to be empty aside from a bed, it was going to be in the med suite, and seeing as Ehlena had already proven that she would use anything available, she would have round-the-clock supervision from the Chosen. I hated that it had to come to this, but this was on her. The other thing that would be mandatory would be regular sessions with Mary, and when I say regular, Doc Jane and I had decided once a day to start with. Ehlena was going to despise us for everything, but when she came out on the other side, she would be grateful. If I had to deal with her loathing me for years, I could do it, knowing she was safe.

Ehlena: [I heard the sounds of others moving about, my head throbbed as I tried to think. Groaning softly I caught the scent of the antiseptic and alcohol oh dear Scribe who brought me here? At that thought a replay of events leading to my passing out flashed through my mind. I could feel the fact that I was not healing well, or as fast as I should. A lecture was sure to be happening once word reached around that I was awake. I didn’t want to open my eyes, the dark black hole that had swallowed me earlier needed to come back and do it again. So the pain could be gone, the hurt would no longer exist. I tried to not make a sound but something gave away that I could not keep. Shuffling in the room caught my attention and I had to open my eyes slowly to see what was going on. Imagine my surprise to see LW there with me.] LW?

LW: It had been a long three hours. After @HisLeelanNalla had left to help his dad in the office, LW had headed down to the PT suite. Doc Jane had asked something about Ehlena so LW headed up to her room. That was where LW had found her, passed out in a pool of her own blood. Freaked out, he’d picked up his (naked) aunt and rushed her down to Doc Jane. The Brothers’ surgeon had immediately jumped into taking care of Ehlena, and LW was left there just staring. The whole family was close, but Nalla had been especially close with Aunt Ehlena because of Rehv. The couple doted on Nalla as a child and he couldn’t imagine the devastation that Nalla would go through if Ehlena didn’t make it. Hell, no one in the family would recover. They had lost too many already. Still, he knew he had to give at least his father a status update. The King did not like being left in the dark about shit. His phone felt heavy as he dialed his dad’s number, growing impossibly heavier as he raised it to his ear to speak with the King. Once Wrath had been assured that Doc Jane had everything in hand, LW went back to waiting. And watching. Trying to stay out of the way. He sat in vigil outside the room while Doc Jane did everything she could for Ehlena and when she came out, she told LW that there was nothing more she could do. Ehlena’s body would have to do the rest of the healing on its own. So he moved inside and thank the Scribe, his aunt had a gown on; one of those flimsy hospital gowns that tied in the back. He listened to her breathing, letting that calm his erratic fears. Still, he fidgeted. Doc Jane sent food. And just as a doggen left with his half-eaten tray, he heard her voice. Perking up to immediate attention, LW strode over to the bed. “Hey, Auntie.” He stroked her hair back from her face. She still looked like shit, but she was conscious. “What the hell happened to you?”

Ehlena: [I had not expected to hear the concern that was in his voice, the light touches pushing my hair back. I had no words for it, I also knew that he would not be looking at me the same way once he found out. I sighed and closed my eyes again.] LW, how much time has passed? [Even as I asked I turned my head away from him. I was embarrassed about my actions, the desperation I had for just a brief moment of respite from the pain, heartache, and loneliness that came since the night of the rescue. I was doing what I could to not take my anger out on those who still had their loved ones, their families as whole as they could be. While mine young and myself had to go through what others before us had already done. LW and Nalla were whole while Wrath was not, it was such unfair times but sacrifice was something that had to be done. The fact that he could be here, trying to be supportive without knowing what had exactly happened. It broke my heart even further. He wouldn’t look at me the same way, neither would Nalla should they know the truth. That I am far weaker than they believe me to be. I couldn’t bring myself to answer him, instead my hand touched where my head hit the nightstand. It was still tender to the touch. How bad was the damage? I could be thankful at least that I had the gown and sheet covering me with him staying here. I decided to not tell him how it was my fault I was hurt, that I wasn’t healing (if he had learned of that,) those thoughts didn’t stick when I heard the sound of someone else coming into the room.]

LW: “We have no way of knowing when you got knocked out…” his voice was interrupted by Doc Jane. The female took over, all but pushing the Prince out of her way as she checked Ehlena’s eye response to light and a bunch of other doctor shit that LW knew nothing about. Her questions came hard and fast and even LW had a hard time keeping up with the ghost. “Hey, Doc. Maybe breathe for a sec and let her get a word in edgewise.” Doc Jane gave LW a glare, but she seemed to listen and slow her roll a little. “Ehlena, when was the last time you fed?” LW looked up in time to see what appeared to be panic on Ehlena’s face. Had not feeding caused his aunt to faint? Maybe she hit her head on the way down. That didn’t explain the nudity, but, hey, what happened in her room could stay in her room as far as the Prince was concerned. No one besides LW and Jane needed to know in what condition he found Ehlena. Remembering Ehlena’s earlier question, LW spoke up, “It’s Tuesday at 3:47 AM. What’s the last thing you remember?”

Ehlena: [LW was cut off and pushed aside so to speak by the figure of Doc Jane and I couldn’t help but smile. Answering each question asked, and I was certain that I answered them correctly. Or to her satisfaction. Until she had asked when I fed last, panic crossed my features before I relaxed. That was a question I chose to not answer, knowing what would happen should they know. Thankful for LW speaking up telling me the time as well the day. I hadn’t lost too much time but then again I think that it was at least one day.] Have I been down here long? [I asked in a voice just above a whisper. Again not sure if I wanted to know the answer to this. Tucking my bottom lip between my teeth as I waited, hoping to distract them from the question I had not answered. It was one I did not want to answer. My Hellren was all I needed when it came to feeding. He wasn’t here anymore and I was beginning to feel like I did not want/need to be here anymore myself I needed a reason, my young were grown. Able to take care of themselves. So there was not much more I could do for them. I was at a loss there and felt myself going back down that spiral that I had been on for so long. I looked down and wished this all away. I heard Jane ask to speak to LW in private and my heart sped up. She more than likely knew exactly what was going on as to my silence and damn her if she spoke her concerns to him.]

LW: Kissing Ehlena’s cheek, LW left the room with Doc Jane. He was curious to know what the good Doc wanted from him. Had she too caught that look on Ehlena’s face? They walked a short bit down the hallway before LW stopped and looked at the ghost. “What is it? Be straight with me, Doc.”

Jane opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times. “I can’t say with certainty how she hit her head, but there was more than one hit, that’s for sure.” She paused and waited for it to hit LW. Had Ehlena done this to herself? Oh shit, Wrath was gonna hit the ceiling with this information. “and she needs to feed,” Jane continued. “I need a male with strong bloodlines.” LW didn’t hesitate. “I’ll do it. Just let me call Nalla.” Jane nodded. “I doubt she’s fed since Rehv died and she may take a lot.” LW was already dialing. “I said I’ll do it. I can’t afford to lose her. My shellan wouldn’t survive her loss too.” Jane nodded. “I will go talk to Ehlena then.” But LW was already walking away to inform his shellan that he would be feeding her favorite aunt.

Ehlena: Oh how I wished to be not hooked up to so many different monitors. Every little move I made had one or another making a sound, documenting what I was doing. Dear Scribe! I wanted to get away before they came back, briefly I wondered if I could just repeat what I had done in mine Chambers here in this room. I knew they were going to force me into feeding it was a gut feeling and with how long they were absent from this room I began to believe that they were pulling Wrath into this and that made what left of a heart that resided in mine chest pound. Couldn’t they let me go too? Before Jane had come back into the room I began pulling at each cord, wanting it off of me. “Just what are you doing?” Jane’s voice didn’t even give me a reason to stop but when a set of hands not belonging to her covered mine I recognized them immediately as our Prince and Hellren to mine dear niece. I still struggled wanting nothing more than to leave. But my neglect made it easy for my attempt to be stopped. Fresh tears burned my eyes and I had no choice but to let them fall. It was the only thing I could do.

LW: My phone call with Nalla was cut short when machines started beeping alarms throughout the clinic. I took off running to Ehlena’s room and watched as she was tearing off the monitors she was hooked up to. “Just what are you doing?” my hands covered hers and I managed to gently pin her in place. “Doc, we may have to restrain her for this.” Jane’s eyes met LW’s over the bed and they silently conferred. The head injury had been no accident. Nalla’s voice came into the room and LW realized that he’d accidentally left his phone on speaker. So she knew. Jane quickly used restraints on Ehlena’s wrists, soft padded cuffs that they normally reserved for injured fighters whose minds had not left the fight. Tears poured down Ehlena’s face and Nalla’s voice once again flooded the room, this time, demanding to speak with her aunt privately. Taking the phone out of his back pocket, LW left the phone on Ehlena’s chest and he and Doc Jane exited again.

Ehlena: No! [Oh dear Scribe Nalla! She could hear everything! I had already burned through what strength I had built up and couldn’t fight them any longer as Jane applied the restraints that would keep me from leaving the PT Suite. Eyes closed I continued to sob. Why couldn’t they just leave me be? It was mine right to choose to join my Hellren. I may still be alive but mine heart laid with him surely LW would have been able to understand that. When I had finally found my voice I was alone, the phone resting there where I could still hear Nalla as she tried to talk to me. I couldn’t answer what she asked, now knowing what her male knew. I was broken. There was no fixing me.] I won’t do it, I won’t let him. [Whispered words about what I knew would happen, LW was getting someone to make me feed. But if I refused even still what could they possibly do? Did I want the answer? I doubted it. Mine eyes closed again and I tuned out Nalla’s worried voice as she again tried to get me to talk.]

LW: It had been quiet in the hallway as Doc Jane stood stoically outside Ehlena’s door. LW was pacing, trying to come up with some other explanation than the fact that his aunt had tried to off herself. He knew there wasn’t, that this had been self-inflicted, but his heart just didn’t want to accept it. He knew his father would lose his shit when he found out about this and he could only imagine his shellan’s heartbreak. She adored her Uncle Rooster and Aunt Ehlena. Before Rehv and Elena had kids, they doted on Nalla as though she was their own. “Think we’ve left them alone long enough?” Jane nodded, suddenly seeming weary. They went back into Ehlena’s room which was filled with the pleading of his shellan, but Ehlena’s face was empty. Not even peaceful, just empty. Her gaze held none of her former spark. “I won’t let you,” was the only thing she said before her eyes closed again. She seemed to be drifting off and one of the alarms started to sound. “Nalla, forgive me,” he spoke before biting into his wrist and holding it up to Ehlena’s mouth. Biology and bloodlust took over in that instant because she locked onto his arm before the blood had a chance to spill over onto her. Her fangs dug deep and Jane just kind of stood there seemingly in shock. No one had expected the Prince’s quick response, but Nalla was there, talking to him every second that the Brotherhood’s favorite nurse fed. She drank long and deep, almost to the point of making LW dizzy.

Ehlena: [I believed I was getting my wish as I heard the alarm going off before darkness surrounded me again and I believed myself giving in to it. I heard LW, Nalla too. But not of anything that could be made out just as if they were speaking in hushed tones. Mine own heart was slowing and finally, finally I could find my peace. I barely felt anything but suddenly there was pressure against my mouth, liquid filling and I instinctively swallowed. My fangs ached without realizing I had latched on and sunk them deep. I wanted to stop to pull away but mine bodies needs refused to let me since it finally had what it had been needing for some time. I kept drinking even as I felt the body attached to the arm sway. I had gone too long and the taste of the blood far better than it should have because of it. A hand ran through my hair comforting and soothing while I knew that soon they’d be making me give up the hold I held. How much had I drank? I didn’t even know but at some point when I felt sated I let go. Instinct having me close the wounds and lick my lips. Now my needs were of a different nature and as I opened mine eyes the soft smile and desires I had in my body dropped as if I had been placed in ice water.] What have you done?! [I all but screamed at him, forgetting about who he was, the title he carried. Right now even as my savior he was also the one who damned me. A fresh round if tears came as well as anger rising. I couldn’t even wipe them away and the dried tears from before on my cheeks.] Why won’t you let me join him? [I slumped and pouted like a child, trying to turn and out my back to him. Mind not thinking clearly but it mattered not. My Prince had saved my life. Soon even Wrath would be down here in this room demanding answers I refused to share. Jane was there behind him and I could hear her say something about observation, talking to someone. And even about a ‘suicide watch’ until I was better.]

LW: LW was attempting to stay standing when Ehlena finished and her screaming gave him a bit of backbone. He almost yelled back, but Doc Jane held him back, speaking in hushed whispers about suicide watch and observation. He was incensed that Ehlena just wanted to give up after everyone that they’d lost. Nalla’s voice came through the phone, tear-filled and shaky. He knew there was no way that she hadn’t heard all of that. Grabbing the phone off the bed, LW brushed Ehlena’s hair back. “Don’t forget, you have more family to live for, Ehl. We love you.” wiping a tear from her cheek, LW put the phone to his ear and asked Nalla to come down to the infirmary. Between feeding Nalla and Ehlena, he was woozy and needed to feed himself. Plus, he needed his shellan with him right then. It was shit like this that made him reconsider going out in the field, but he was a warrior. It was what he did. Nalla was ready for Wrath to groom his son to take over the throne one day. But, until today, seeing Ehlena’s distress – hell her suicide attempt – he hadn’t put much faith in Nalla’s worries because he was always surrounded by other fighters, other Brothers. But Rehv had been a helluva fighter, with a secret weapon.  No one should have been able to get the jump on him. And they did.

Ehlena: [I tugged at the restraints wishing I could have them off but now there was still no chance of me being able to leave. Jane made sure of it and LW was going to be helping her. Dear Scribe Wrath was certainly going to be here soon once he was filled in. My heart was pounding and I heard her come back in. I could see how she managed to stay as a Dr because she kept her voice calm as she checked over the back of my head, sure it was going to be looking better now. I didn’t want sympathy or pity and it was going to be the first thing from most of them. If I was in my right frame of mind I would apologize to LW and Jane both but I was being stubborn and still did not talk to them. Even when LW came back once again. My silence was for a different reason. I swallowed hard and fought a fresh round of tears.] LW I didn’t mean to snap at you. Nothing’s been the same or right. I took part of it out on you.

LW: Nalla’s voice on the other end of the phone broke through LW’s macabre thoughts. He reached out against the wall to balance himself, woozy from the amount of blood he’d given to Ehlena. His voice cracked when he spoke his shellan’s name, emotions on the edge. “Nalla….” his beloved seemed to understand the need in that single word because he heard her shuffling and the soft spoken tones, “I’m on my way, Nallum.” He let himself slump to the ground, eyes watery and he hung his head between his knees. He understood the biology of vampire mating. Hell, he’d seen his own father after the death of his beloved mahmen. Losing a mate could ruin a warrior. But this? Ehlena … suicide? She’d never get into the Fade this way. She’d never get to see Rehv again. And her young…. Madahlena had just risen to power as the symphath Queen. Losing her Mahmen and her father would wreck his little cousin. And he needed her to be strong right now. Showing weakness in front of the symphaths was a death sentence. LW trembled at all the outcomes he could see. Losing Ehlena would forever crush this family. They would never be the same. She needed to know the consequences. “Nalla, bring Wrath. I think he and Ehlena have much to discuss.” With a soft declaration of love, he hung up on his shellan and stood up, proud that he only swayed once. Walking back into Ehlena’s room was a feat, but he made it. Waving off Ehl’s apology, he slumped in his seat, “So you want to die, huh? Are you willing to get Madahlena killed?” His brow rose. Hell no, he was NOT opposed to emotional blackmail. “Because you and I both know what the colony will do to her while she mourns.” Ehlena flinched at his words, but LW pressed on, “What about Bella? She lost her brother and now you? What is she gonna do? And Nalla? My SHELLAN. She adores you. I get it, okay. I watched Dad fall apart when Mahmen died. But FUCK YOU. He was selfless enough to live. Apparently you’re not.” At that moment, Nalla entered. “I’ll leave you to it.” with that, the Prince walked out.

Ehlena: [How could one explain to their family that the breaking point was the dream, knowing that your body was starting to demand something that could never be satisfied. Oh I was aware what I did was not the way to go about things but it was so obvious that I was not thinking clearly. Lack of taking care of myself definitely made things worse. I was stuck here now and as I listened to LW at first talk, then yell. Flinching as he made his case. He had his rights to be mad about Nalla and my actions affecting her. I did not expect however, my anger to rise as he swore at me. What he did not realize is the fact I tried, I tried to live but Dear Scribe I still felt like everything was against me, I knew there was a point in his heated choice of words. Mine daughter was far stronger than he gave her credit for. Otherwise she would not have accomplished her part in going to the Colony. Would she miss me, mourn me? Of course but she did not have the weakness I currently held. I had once asked Wrath another how he continued after Beth. Was it any easier, that chat had lasted what felt like hours. I thought things might have been able to be alright mostly. But then the dreams began. The wanting, needing, and the ghost touches of my Hellren who no longer was here to rest his head on my shoulder. I truly felt like nothing without him. I opened my mouth prepared to give right back at him but the shadow now at the door had me looking that way. The color that had been brought back to my cheeks from feeding from LW left just as quick as it had returned earlier. This was a low blow. Bringing not just her but Wrath down here as well! I without thinking I glared at his figure as he walked out. There stood his father, looking like he was waiting for LW to join him back outside the room. The door shut and all that left me was Nalla, and the inner workings of my own mind. This was not going to be good. She shouldn’t be here where I was bound to lash out at her as well. I didn’t know what may end up happening next. Yeah I was sinking, and not in a way that was good for anyone around me. I was positive I was going to pull them all down with me. Looking down at my wrist I could see the fact the skin was becoming irritated from the struggling I had done. I still wanted free, I still wanted away from here, away from everyone who could still be happy. I was envious of them once again and the negativity continued to seep through me. I hadn’t consciously made the choice but I ignored Nalla, she hadn’t begun talking so it made it easier to do. Eyes closing I tried to push out the words I heard floating around there in my mind. The words were not the issue, but the voice that spoke them was what got to me. Burning feelings began again in my eyes and I wondered how many times was a person able to break before those lines, the cracks became permanent?]

Nalla: *As I run down the hall from Aunt Layla’s room to Aunt Ehlena’s, I do as my hellren had asked, and I call Uncle Wrath, who as far as I know is still up in his office, to let him know he’s needed here in the clinic. After I hang up, I lean against the wall for a minute to catch my breath and try to calm down a bit before dealing with what’s waiting for me in that room. Tonight was another night of multiple emotional blows, on top of everything else that’s been going on lately, and I feel like I might be about to hit an overload. Before long, Uncle Wrath comes around the corner, led by Whiskey.* Over here, Uncle. *I push off the wall and straighten up as he approaches, and give him a quick rundown of the situation as I know it. As I finish, the door to Aunt Ehlena’s treatment room opens and LW steps out, looking pale and shaky. Shit!! I need to make sure I feed him as soon as possible. Between his injuries during the rescue mission, then feeding me and now our aunt, his blood needs have to be in overdrive right now! Especially since his stubborn ass had refused to feed from me after the mission. Well, one way or another he’ll be taking my vein tonight, even if I have to knock him out and tie him to our bed first! But, first things first. I step into the room and close the door, taking a seat as I take stock of my aunt. She is restrained to the bed, her wrists appearing raw from trying to get loose, and a bandage was wrapped around her head. Though the marks on her wrists will soon disappear, and the bandages become unnecessary thanks to my hellren’s blood. The color in her cheeks is high as well, though whether that’s from the feeding or her emotions I can’t say. As I watch, she makes a point of ignoring me, looking away and staying silent. I take a seat and watch her, staying silent as well as I try to make sense of the whirl of emotions inside me, and figure out what I want to say first and how.

Wrath:

This was not what I was expecting when I got the call from Nalla. I expected some serious injuries from the team out on patrol. I thought maybe even LW might have been involved, due to the tone in Nalla’s voice. What I did not expect was to hear that Ehlena had tried to take her own life.

Ehlena was one of the last people I would have ever thought to do such a thing. She knew that had she succeeded, she would not be able to enter The Fade and end up being with Rehv. Not only that, but Ehlena was too strong for that. The way she handled herself in her everyday life had always impressed me, especially the way she handled all the medical emergencies that came in and out of this place. She worked straight though whatever tragedy came before her, seemingly unaffected as she went about her job. I know she is sensitive and she was not indifferent to what laid before her on those tables. But, she has always been able to hold it all together and work without effect.

Now, I was standing before Nalla as she explained the lengths that Ehlena had gone through in her attempt to end it all. I was pissed and frustrated and unsure of how to even think of approaching Ehlena. As I stepped up to the door, I knew my presence would be threatening. I knew how weak and wrought with emotions Ehlena would be, right now and decided not to step foot inside. Right now, I would do her no good, because all I wanted to do was let loose on her. Instead, I chose to stand outside and wait for LW to come out. I would get all the details from him and discuss next steps with him.

Written with @ChosenDarkened

Mary: *I just arrived back home and parked my car near the fountain. Turning off the engine, I took a deep relieving breath and relaxed in my seat for a moment. The weight lifted from my shoulders knowing that #SafePlace would be in good hands for a while. 

I stepped out in the cool air of the night and made my way up the steps of the manse and entered the first chamber and looked up into the video monitor to be let into the inside. I was relieved to be home for a few weeks before returning to work.*

Layla: *I’d been back a couple of days, I think, when I was told I could finally have a visitor. I was hoping for my daughter but knew that would be far-fetched. I knew it could be no-one else that I’d been very close to as they were gone. This room is lit and I’ve had good care given to my external wounds but it still is a prison. It’s the same size as the one the Omega kept me in just light whereas his prison for me was always dark. My eyes still sting with how bright it is sometimes. Wish there was a dimmer switch in here, that’d be nice.

I’ve started knitting again, I’m better this time around than I was during my pregnancy. It keeps me busy and isn’t as mind-numbing as the tv can be. Although sometimes being numb in my mind has its place, like when I’m supposed to sleep but I can’t because of the nightmares. I haven’t told anyone about them, there seems to be something more important going on at the moment and I won’t take from that. I need to feed desperately, the headaches are swirling but I keep quiet. The last time I complained I was beaten and I won’t do that again. No, it wasn’t by my family but the Omega and his goons. I guess it’s still ingrained to keep silent. 

I miss companionship, I miss my young. I’m so sad yet so angry at all I’ve lost that I may never have again. I feel so guilty over my loved ones that were lost, even my son whom I never got to know. Because of me, he’s gone. As is Xcor. I need the thoughts to stop, maybe I should have just died. I grab my knitting and begin to knit another item with fervor, using it to avoid more thinking*.

Mary: *One of the doggens allowed me inside the manse, and I looked around and admire, once again, the beautiful foyer with the apple tree. Though it has been almost 100 years since I first arrived in this manse as a dying human … the beauty of what Darius created still floored me. 

Just as I was taking off my coat, I get a text on my phone. Looking down at my phone, I find a text from Nalla, that Layla had been found and is in the medical suite. Mary Mother of God, she’s been found. Over the years the family had to assume that she may have died after being taken. It was the lesser of two evils. With Lyric and her, both being found … makes me wonder how they had both survived for as long as they had. I quickly dropped all my stuff on the foyer table and knew the doggen would later bring it up to my room regardless if I ask them not to … normally I would do it myself, but I needed to get to the medical suite.

I go down the long corridor underneath the manse and enter the code to get through the supply closet and into the office and through the door into the hallway. I quietly walked past the rooms and leaned into the windows until I found the one I wanted and knocked quietly.*

Layla: *I hear a soft knock on my door and figuring it’s Manny I tell them to come in. When I see the female who enters I take a deep breath. “Mary.” I say softly. My emotions are twirling once again as I see the face of a friend I didn’t think I’d ever see again.

She asks if she can enter and I tell her yes. She looks as shocked as me, she must have thought me dead like everyone else. Instinct has me getting up and heading over to hug her but I pull back at the last minute. I’m not sure she wants a hug from me. This awkwardness is new but I suppose not unusual. 

 “Ummmm do you want to sit down?” I head back to the bed and sit, not sure what else to do with myself at that particular moment. I don’t know if Mary is here to renew our friendship or was asked to come and check on my mental health. Probably the latter if I’m being honest with myself. I start to fidget, my nerves are taking over. I look at her then down to my lap where my fingers are twiddling. I take a deep breath, look at her and say, “So, long time no see.”

Mary: *I went up to the bed and gently gave her a hug. She looked the same but not the same. She was so thin, clearly haven’t been able to feed properly or refresh back at the Sanctuary that many of the Chosen choose to do. Taking her hands into mine, I sit on the bed.*

It has been a very long time. I am blessed by the Scribe Virgin to still be alive to have this moment with you. How are you feeling? Do you need to call for food or something to drink?

*The last thing I would do is to ask her what happened to her over these years. She can talk about that when she was damn ready. Clearly, it was traumatic and she couldn’t escape until now, otherwise, she would have been home sooner. The last thing she needed was to talk about it now. I need to steer our conversation to other things, more pleasant.*

Actually, if you feel up to it and its medically approved, why don’t we go into the kitchen. I haven’t eaten since First Meal. I can make you something. You craving anything? *Thinking quickly about what she may have missed.* How about pancakes? Or waffles?

*The doggen are used to me tinkering around in the kitchen to feed Rhage, Bitty and myself. Hopefully, they won’t go berserk if I cook for Layla. I’ll send them to clean the car if I need to, to keep them busy without them hovering over us.*

Layla: *Waffles sound awfully good. It’s been a while since I’ve had more than protein shakes and the occasional peanut butter sandwich. I would love to see the house again too.

Manny gives us the go-ahead as long as Mary stays with me so we head through the hallway, the doors, and out into the main hall. The apple tree is just as magnificent and lovely as I remember. I smile at Mary, “it feels good here. Thanks for bringing me back in here.” We head for the kitchen where the doggen starts to fuss about but Mary says a couple of words to them and they bow and head out the door. 

“Can I help?” I don’t like feeling worthless and it’s in my nature to help but Mary points to the chair and tells me to sit for now. I ask her where Fritz is as I haven’t seen him hovering about and he is usually the first one to one of us. I also ask about her hellren and daughter.

I know some of the answers will not be happy but I need to start getting to know my family again somewhere. I’ve missed so much; all I want is to see them, hug them, and find Xcor and my son.

As we talk, Mary is cooking up a storm. I think she forgot it’s me and not her hellren she’s cooking for! “Mary … there is no way I can eat all of that!” She laughs and says Rhage will finish the leftovers, which I know is the truth. It feels good to laugh a bit. 

After we eat Mary takes me on a walk around the premises, both inside and outside, so I can reacclimate myself a bit. I know I will be in the medical suite for a bit longer but it’s still nice to feel like I belong again. We continue to walk and talk about trivial things. I finally say, “are you going to ask me why I’m still alive?”

Mary: *I talked about Rhage and Bitty for a bit when Layla asked. I also made more food than both she and I could eat but I tended to cook for my hellren Rhage and I knew he would finish whatever I cooked. Plus the manse was filled with family so the food would get eaten. 

It was nice to talk about my family and we laughed a bit. We finished our meal and we started walking around the manse, not much has changed over the years. We tended to keep whatever Darius created unless something became broken and needed to be replaced. We always tended to replace it with an exact replica where we could.

While we intermittently talked about ordinary things, she finally seemed to want to talk about what happened to her.*

Are you ready to talk about it? I know that it couldn’t have been easy for you. What happened after the SUV crashed?

Layla:  *I sigh heavily realizing I have to draw on memories I’ve sworn not to relive ever. I sit down on a bench in the hallway and start wringing my hands. I’m praying that I can hold the tears back as I retell what I can remember of that night.

Lessers, more than I thought were still around came out of nowhere. We crashed trying to get around them. No one wanted to fight them while young were in the SUV. After the crash, the lessers tore into the doors and the males had no choice but to fight to protect Lyric and I. I felt so helpless. Qhuinn told me to run and keep running til I could demat out of there. I tried but the lessers were everywhere and when I hid behind a tree to take a breath, they caught up to me. I screamed, Lyric cried for Qhuinn. She was clinging to me as I tried to get away but there were too many. I saw Qhuinn coming our direction, I know he heard Lyric crying for him but he didn’t get to us. They took him down. I never saw Phury or what happened to him. Qhuinn though… <I hiccup as the tears pour down my face.> When they started stabbing him, the look on his face, Lyric crying. I crumbled and I’m so ashamed. My heart broke into a million pieces as I waited for the Fade to come my way.

<I wipe the tears away.> The lessers tore Lyric from me and gave me an ultimatum. Follow them and stay with my daughter or die with the warriors. I went, I didn’t want to die and I didn’t want to live without my child. I felt like that part in Sophie’s Choice where she had to choose a child. If I died then my young lost both parents. If I stayed with Lyric, then I had hope that one day I’d be reunited with my son.

However, the Omega was waiting and talking about a plan to create a new strain of lessors more powerful than before. He promised I could see and tend to Lyric and I believed him. My room, in the Omega’s lair, was small and dark. Light was never allowed. The only voices I ever heard were from lessors who came to chuck food under the door. Protein bars are what they fed me, usually once a week. Occasionally, a bit of human blood just so I didn’t die on them or some of the Omega’s blood if they were mad at me. They took blood too on occasion, but I was never told what it was all for and I didn’t ask. The one time I did, I was punished severely by the Omega and his forelesser. <Shivers run down my spine recalling their brand of punishment.> Anytime I spoke up too much, I was punished. Nails, hammers, whips, anything they had around that they thought would be fun.

I WAS A FOOL Mary!!! <I yell the pain out/> I should NEVER have believed him but I was blinded by fear and anguish and who knows what else. He took my daughter from me, hell … he took both my young from me. I was a traitor, a coward. <I hung my head low hating myself and my weakness.> I deserve to be tossed out into the sun but I NEED to see Lyric. I need to see her face and know she’s alright. <Sighs> I know Wrath and the Brothers need answers and I’m ready to help however I can. It’s time ….

Mary: *My heart went out to Layla and pain echoed hers as I thought of Qhuinn and Phury. Everyone in the household died that day, especially Blay and Cormia, along with Zsadist, his twin. It took years before the household felt remotely normal again. Then too soon after with Queen Beth, Fritz, Craeg, Tohr then Butch. And now? With the loss of Rehv, Blay, Novo and Baldassare … it felt hollow and empty. So many losses in this one century compared to all the others. We have added to our ranks but it will never fill the void that all the others left behind.

I hugged Layla as she cried and decided she needed to tell Wrath everything that happened all those years ago and since then. Hopefully, any details that The Brotherhood could use to find the Omega’s location and she needed to know what happened with the family too. These will not be the last tears either of us shed today.*

I think it may be time to go see Wrath, he needs to know everything and we all need to talk about it all. I also didn’t want to make Layla live through it over and over again. She’s been through enough. *It made me wonder if Lyric needed to attend as well. Though I’m not sure what we should put them in a room together yet. Perhaps I can get it recorded for her to see later. I needed to ask V. I quickly sent out some texts and confronted Layla until she calmed enough to go to Wrath’s office and repeat her story. This needed to be handled delicately.*

Layla: *The tears slow down as Mary comforts me. I needed that comfort in that moment. She’s right, it’s time to talk to Wrath. I don’t want to repeat myself more than necessary. The memories hurt too damn much. 

Simple, I can’t.

I change out of my pajamas and pull my hair back in a ponytail, then go knock on my brother’s door.

“Hey Al? You awake yet?” I hear some shuffling around, and then the door opens to reveal Alyne- bleary eyed, rumpled, and pulling a t-shirt over his head.

“Maddy?” He scrubs his hands over his face, obviously trying to wake up a little more too. “What’s up?”

“Well, there’s something I need to talk to you about. Why don’t you pull on some shoes and come take a walk with me?” He looks a little confused, but nods and goes back in the room to grab a pair of sneakers and a hoodie, then follows me downstairs and out into the gardens. I give him a little smile, not sure exactly how to start as we pick a random path to follow.

“So, is this about going up to the colony?” I start to tense, surprised, wondering how he found out already and why he isn’t acting more angry with me over leaving him behind. But then he continues. “Have you figured out when you wanna go up there and how you want us to tell them about Dad?”

I snort, trying to keep the mood lighter for as long as I can, even though it won’t be long at all.

“Trust my little brother to cut right to the point. But actually, yeah. That really is what I wanted to discuss with you. See, the thing is, I kind of… already went up there. Last night, with the Shadows and Xhex and Andra as backup.”

He stops dead in his tracks and turns to gape at me. “Wait, you… what?!”

I watch as the shock on his face morphs into indignant fury, angry red color suffusing his face. I didn’t need to use my symphath gifts to know that he was absolutely livid. “Dammit Maddy, why would you do that? You knew I wanted to go with you!!”

“I did it to protect-“

“I don’t need to be protected!” He bursts out, and I almost don’t see the fist flying at my face until it’s too late. But I catch it, and we end up in a scuffle that ends with him pinned face down on the ground, me kneeling on his legs with one hand gripping his hair and the other handcuffing his wrists together. I lean forward to speak directly in his ear.

“Apparently you do, if I was able to take you down as easily as I just did, without even using any mental tricks on you. Believe me, our brethren up north wouldn’t have shown you the same courtesy. They would’ve done everything they could to hurt you, if only to distract me. If I had taken you with me, I would’ve been too worried about trying to protect you to do what I needed to do to seize control of the Colony. Dammit Al, THINK for a minute!

I couldn’t risk Mahmen losing both of her young, especially at the same time and so soon after Dad. And our cousins would most likely have killed us both had we shown any weakness at all- and like it or not little brother, my love for you makes you a huge weakness for me.”

I see the anger fading a little from his eyes and think I might be getting through to him- when in doubt, pull out the family card- so I risk loosening my grip and sitting next to him, allowing him to sit up too. “It would’ve destroyed Mahmen to lose us too. Not to mention Aunt Bella and Uncle Z, Nalla and LW, and all the rest of the family here. Plus, there’s no telling what the symphaths would’ve done after we were gone. Pick a new ruler and continue just keeping to themselves up north? Start a fight with the Brotherhood for being friends with Dad and backing him up all those years? Or who the hell even knows? But I have to think long term now, and I knew that we can’t afford any instability up north. So you see, it wasn’t only you I was protecting, Al. It was our whole family, the entire Brotherhood, and everyone else who would’ve been pulled into the fighting or otherwise affected by it.”

I watch as he sits there, looking down as he absorbs my words. Finally, he sighs and looks up at me.

“I guess you’re right, Maddy. It’s just that, well, I was kinda looking forward to going with you. You know, to watch your back and prove that you can count on me, that sort of thing. But the reasons you did it this way do make sense. I’m sorry I got so angry.”

I smile and pull him in for a hug. “It’s ok. You haven’t had quite as much time as I have to learn and think about this kind of thing. Not that you’ve been slacking on your studies and training, I only meant that I do have a ten year head start on you. And I promise, once you’re safely through your transition, you can be my right hand man, help me out in the Colony as much as you want. After all, you are now the next in line to get the throne.”

“Yeah, I guess I am. I just wish that I could’ve seen you up there. Man, I bet you were a total badass!” He laughs, and I find myself grinning along.

“Yeah, I kind of was. I wish you could’ve been there too. I was scared shitless, but you never would’ve known it. Now I know what Dad was talking about when he told us about the day he took the throne. Sweet Scribe, I hope he would’ve been proud of me!” I feel a sob rising in my throat, then Al takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.

“I think you already know the answer to that, Maddy.”

“Yeah, I think I do.” I squeeze his hand back. “Are we good?” I ask.

Al thinks a moment, then nods. “I think we are. I’m probably always gonna regret not seeing you taking the throne, and I might still be annoyed with you for a while yet for not telling me you were going north, but yeah we’re good.”

He stands up and reaches down to help me to my feet. “Now, let’s go back inside and clean up before Mahmen finds out we were beating on each other.” I laugh and sling a companionable arm around his shoulders as we walk.

“Good idea!”

Maddy:

Parting ways from Xhex, Andra, and the Shadows in front of the Colony, I demat directly back to the gardens of the Compound and go straight up to my room. As I enter the suite, I reach out with my mind, and sense Alyne still asleep in his room but mahmen isn’t in hers. Probably still down in the Clinic tending her patients. I hope she gets some rest soon, and doesn’t bury herself in work until she collapses in an attempt to escape her grief. Worn out both physically and mentally, with my own grief constantly clawing at me, I take a quick shower and put on some pajamas. But then I realize that I’m too restless to sleep. I think I need to talk to mahmen first, tell her what I’ve done tonight and deal with what comes after. I know she won’t be happy with me, to say the least. I know she didn’t want me to go up to the Colony anytime soon- if ever. But I had to do it, and sooner rather than later. I won’t apologize for doing what I thought was right, what I felt I needed to do in order to protect my family and everyone else I care about. But I also won’t hide my actions from the two people I have left closest to me. So, I sit down on the couch to wait until Mahmen returns.

Ehlena: [The night had been slowly dragging on, still lecturing myself about my attitude towards Wrath. Thankful that he had understood at the way I had lashed out at him. My worry and grief mixed together was never a good thing. I knew I would not be getting much sleep and now it was going to be worse until I saw her again. So I headed back down to where all the injured were. Planning on checking on them, making sure they had everything they needed as well. I knew there were a few who would need their bandages changed too. So that's how I spent the next few hours, spending time with each patient, they needed the comfort just add much as I did. To them they had lost just as much as I did. But their wounds were also physical. Getting the chance to talk to them, gave me the perfect distraction from my own pain. While sitting down with one male, who had fallen asleep while we talked, I found myself drifting off as well. I heard another nurse come in to his area. It was a struggle to open my eyes.”Ehlena, go upstairs. You need to rest just add much as they do.” I started to protest but there wasn't much I could say to argue. Sighing I nodded my head, sleep was needed but I wasn't sure how much of actually get.]

Maddy: *As I sense Mahmen coming down the hall towards our suite, I sit up straight on the couch and feel my anxiety rise. Even though this has to happen, I know this conversation isn’t going to go well and I’m afraid of the rift it’s probably going to cause, however temporarily, between us. When the door opens and I see how worn out Mahmen looks, I almost decide to hold off until she gets some sleep. But then, what would be gained by a delay? She’d be just as upset by my confession if she were fully rested.* Mahmen? Could you come here a minute? There’s something I need to talk to you about…. *I scoot over so she can sit beside me on the couch*

Ehlena: [The door to the rooms we were staying in opened easily, glad for the moment nothing had happened on my trek there. The door closed softly behind me once inside, my exhaustion causing me to miss the frame of mine daughter there on the couch. It was her voice that had me pausing in the path towards the room I was staying in,] Madahlena? [I turned and there she was. Sitting there in her pajamas like she never left. The fact she was there had me pushing the needed sleep from my mind. Moving to where she had indicated for me to join her I gladly did such. Before she could speak I had pulled her to me, relaxing at the fact that she was back here had tears stinging my eyes.]

Madahlena: *Mahmen joins me, and as she hugs me I feel her profound relief- but I’m a bit puzzled as to why she would feel that way. Mentally shrugging off my confusion for the moment, I take a deep breath as I pull back and look at her.* Ok, I have something to tell you. You’re not gonna like it, but I’m not gonna keep secrets from you, and definitely not something like this. *I look up, directly into her eyes. Seeing no reason to sugarcoat my confession, I decide to just say it all flat out.* Mahmen, I went up to the Colony tonight. Not alone! *I say quickly, so that she wouldn’t think I’d been excessively foolish. I had taken some precautions, after all* Trez, iAm, Xhex and Andra went with me. Anyway, the point is that the symphaths know about Dad- I told them he’s gone. I also claimed their throne, so as of tonight I am officially the symphath Queen. We won’t have any problems from them, at least not for a good long while, but I will have to make more trips up there in the near future to solidify my position. But for right now, we’re ok. So, yeah. That’s all I had to tell you… *I sit back and wait, internally bracing myself for an explosion.*

Ehlena: [I sat back and let her talk, she must have forgotten that I was her Mahmen, I would know what she has done and where she would have went. Even if I did not agree with the choices made.] Madahlena, you are already going to know how I feel about you doing such. I was not ready for you to grow up and take this step. It was something that was not supposed to happen for some time yet. But your father's passing…. [I had to stop, cut short because my voice broke and I was fighting tears once again. The time here in the Manse was becoming rough and difficult. After a few moments I managed to calm myself and take a breath.] You shouldn’t have tried to go without my knowing. I am always going to know things. I am your Mahmen, I have watched you grow into the woman you are and while I am not happy about this I know you felt you needed to. [Reaching for her hand there on her lap and giving it a light squeeze.] You are mine daughter, I will always love you.

Maddie:

*I squeeze Mahmen’s hand back, and give her a slightly shaky smile* I love you too, Mahmen. And I know that I should’ve told you what I was doing, but I was afraid you’d try to stop me, or would at least be really upset over it, and I knew that that would make it that much harder to do what I had to do. I just…. I was afraid. Not so much for myself, really, but… well, what if the symphaths had started wondering why it’d been so long since Dad had gone to the colony? What if they’d gotten curious enough about his absence that they sent someone down here to the city to investigate? There’s no telling what they might’ve done if they’d found out about his death on their own, and I couldn’t have borne knowing that something had happened to you or Al, or Nalla or anyone else I love, just because I’d been too afraid to do what I knew I needed to do. It was better to get control of the situation right from the start. I know that I shouldn’t have been in this position for decades yet, if not centuries, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t handle it, or would shirk my duties. Dad and Xhex taught me well. I can do this, Mahmen. I will do this.

Ehlena: Yes I would have been upset, scared, you forget I have been up there myself with Xhex, the brothers, and our King with me. I have seen what they can and will do to those they don't care for. I am always going to have the fear of what they may do to you in the back of my head. That's what being a parent does to you. I still have moments where I see you as the young you once were. But I know you've grown into a strong female. You've got the best of both your father and I. I have seen it since the day you learned to walk, the first time you did not back down from someone being a bully. [That had me chuckling.] Xhex and your father taught you everything you needed to keep yourself strong, safe, and to keep them out of your own head. Remember those teachings each and every time you deal with them. Never show a weakness. Never let that shield have a crack.

Maddy:

I know, Mahmen. I won’t. And believe me, I remember every lesson I was ever taught. My subjects have already found out that I am most definitely Dad’s daughter, and I’m not nearly as weak as they might’ve been thinking just because I’m mostly vampire. *I smirk a little at the memory of my little demonstration up in the colony. Then I realize again how tired Mahmen looks, so I give her a soft smile and lay a hand on her shoulder.* You’ve gotta be wiped, Mahmen, and so am I. Why don’t we both go try to get some sleep? You’ve got your patients to look after, and I’m gonna need all my strength to deal with Alyne when I tell him I went up to the colony without him. Pretrans or not, I know he wanted to go with me to watch my back. He is not gonna be happy with me at all… *I chuckle as I lean over to kiss her cheek* I’ll see you this evening. *With that, I get up and shuffle off to my room, closing the door softly behind me*

Ehlena: I never had any doubt of you being your father's daughter, I just worry about so many different things. Those at the colony getting to you being one. I'm not saying it will happen or that you can't handle things. But I'm your Mahmen it is going to be a worry. [I smiled softly at the touch, it was comforting to know that you had indeed made it back in one piece.] Alyne is not going to be happy with you at all, we.both know this. [I closed my eyes as you kissed my cheek, yes I was tired beyond anything and the patients needed me at my best. With a sigh I nodded my head.] Yes get some sleep Madahlena and I shall do the same. [I watched as she headed to her room here in the Manse before I stood to go to my own. My stride uneven because yes exhaustion had taken over me. It was what had brought me back to the rooms, and it was even stronger now. Shutting mine own door the latch catching and I leaned against it. Oh dear Scribe what was I going to do now?]

[I had been having trouble sleeping during the day, still not fully able to sleep without dreaming. Mine children and male always being the first things that came forth. Moments of the past, the possibilities of the future that would never come to pass. So I would always find ways to stay awake for as long as possible while the sun was high in the sky. How I was managing to hide it from everyone I know not, but perhaps they saw and chose to say nothing at all as well. It didn't matter because I had already been to see Jane and the Drs. To find ways that would let me get that restful sleep my body was needing, but the one thing given to me ended up with me feeling worse. I'd wake groggy and sluggish. Those were only going to be when I could no longer stand to be awake or dream the dreams I had. 

When the sun began to rise ending this night I found myself under my blankets, I knew early on there'd be no fighting the sleep that was going to be coming. Opting to not take one of the pills that I had still from the bottle given to me. Maybe tomorrow. It was the same line I said each time I laid down. My eyelids drooped even as I reached for the book, telling myself that I'd read a few pages. Opening the book I propped it on my raised knees as I found the page I was last on. Even as I started to read the words blurred and my eyes gave in to the sleep I wasn't ready to deal.

*“Wake up love, or I'll start enjoying you before you do.” The words were growled into my ear and I could not help the giggle passing my lips. I was on my back the warmth of a arm around my waist pulling me closer to their strong form. I grinned because he knew I was awake, I didn't even have to open my eyes as his breath tickled my ear. “Rehv it's not even sundown yet, are you wanting to wake Madahlena?” Smiling I rolled over beautiful amethyst eyes meeting mine once I opened them. Mischief lighting them up brighter than usual and I knew this would be a good night. “She won't wake for some time you know that.” With a grin that matched the look in his eyes my male was moving us, putting me back onto my back and he was above me. I could only watch and wait to see what he had planned. My hands went to his shoulders planning on running them over his sides but with a shake of his head he grabbed both in one hand. “Not yet Ehlena no touching right now.” Confusion crossed my brow before he nipped the inside of one wrist and released them. “No touching or I'll have to make sure you don't try.” I grumbled playfully but nodded at the request. Moving a kiss was brushed over my lips before he moved between my legs. Hips fitting there against me as his head moved to my neck. I shivered and goosebumps appeared in anticipation of what was going to happen. His voice was deeper as he spoke this time his emotions that only Madahlena and myself got to see clear as he spoke. “My Shellan I am hungry, but this here is not where I'll be feeding from tonight.” With a teasing nip he slowly lowered himself until he was at my chest. Light kisses, teasing nips, as well as scrapes of fangs were what I felt as he moved. A few times I felt those fangs pierce skin but not enough for him to draw blood. Just enough to pull the moans from me before he'd chuckle and move to another spot.

The sweet torture went on for what seemed like hours. Moving to places on my body he always seemed to have an affinity for touching. My hands were fisting the sheets as I fought to not reach out and touch him, I was aroused beyond anything I had been in what felt like some time. Crying out and arching my back as I felt him sliding his tongue over my clit and felt a finger enter me. My male was going to be the death of me this eve and I would not dare complain. It took all I had to not push his face in further. I was wanting and needing more of him, the teasing had to stop. “Rehv. Please.” I felt before I heard the growl he made, I moaned and shifted again on the bed. His free hand moved to my hip holding me there as he finally pulled his mouth from my sensitive skin. “I told you I was hungry Ehlena, and I plan to have my fill.” My head had raised when he moved away my eyes on him listening to the words he spoke. I could only curse as I saw that look still in his amethyst eyes. His fangs had descended and I could feel myself getting wetter as I waited as not so patiently as I could. His mouth went back to my skin again and the back of my head met the pillow once more. Those fangs scraped my inner thigh and I jumped, my male was wicked indeed and my mind began to play out what he would be doing next. I didn't wait long to find out those nips started up again, with the pace he started with his other hand, purposely brushing his thumb over my clit with each inward motion. My release was building. He knew it and kept pushing me towards that edge. I felt his fangs sink deeper this time into my thigh close to where my hip would meet. This doing nothing more than marking me. A reminder that I was his, like I would ever deny it. But he knew, he knew exactly how wet I'd get later tonight while working when I'd move and feel the reminder from the bite. I cried out warning that my release was fast approaching. It only made his hand go faster and his lips moved over skin until he found another spot, closer to the artery there in my leg. Sinking in his fangs hitting that spot at the same time he hit my clit harder than before. My back arched as I screamed.*

Bennu:

If it weren’t for the text I’d received straight from Destiny’s phone, I would never have believed that she was back in Caldwell. When she left, she had sworn she would never return, so I was incredibly curious as to what finally changed her mind. I had always envied her for her travels. I wasn’t brave enough to go outside of the area. I had left the house of the Chosen and moved into the city. That was as far as I had ever gotten. I never even took a holiday somewhere, even though Destiny had asked me to come visit numerous times. I just didn’t dare leave the protection of the Brotherhood. It always baffled me that Destiny was so fearless about being out in the world. I think it may have to do with the fact that I am older than her. I have lived under the protection of the Brotherhood for longer and it is more ingrained in me.

Anyway, I was looking forward to some dinner from Sal’s! It had been a while since I had eaten there. I used to eat there all the time, when I worked there. I don’t know why I didn’t go by more. I think my life had just seemed to take on a life of its own, recently and I hadn’t made time for those luxuries. That was something I needed to remind myself to do. Stop and smell the roses, as the humans liked to say. Even though I had a set schedule at SafePlace, I was always there way more than I was scheduled. That was all good, though. I enjoyed doing all I could for those women and children. They deserved it.

The table was just about set when I heard the phone ring. I knew it was Destiny, because the security door out front was the only thing that phone was good for, anymore. I had long stopped giving it out and only used my cell as a means of communication, now. I crossed the kitchen and picked it up. “Hello?” I wasn’t an idiot. I didn’t want to just buzz up anyone. I had to know it was her, first. The Brothers had taught me well.

Destiny:

As she answered the line I had to hold back my excitement. “I’m here and I have a ton of food.” She let me in and I made my way to her apartment.  As soon as she opened the door it was a flash back to times long past.   “Bennu, you are just as beautiful as you were the last time we saw each other.  You look exactly the same.  Well, minus the robes.”

She let me in and we walked into her kitchen. As soon as the bags were out of my hands, she grabbed me for a hug.  “It’s good to see you too, sister.   I’m so glad you still wanted to see me.  I know my leaving didn’t go well with all and you are the only one who I’ve kept in touch with.  I hope you are hungry.  I order six different pastas cause I couldn’t decide.”

Bennu:

Destiny looked amazing! The independence that she had found certainly agreed with her. She looked way more confident than most of the Chosen, and it was almost as if she stood taller. I gave her a huge hug, before pulling away and helping her with the food. “Of course I would want to see you!” I admitted. “It may be years since I last saw you, but you will forever be my bestie! And I have to say,” standing back, “You look incredible, including that extra twinkle to your eye…” I cocked my head with a grin. “You going to tell me about it?” She could deny it all she wanted, but something was definitely up with my dear friend. Sure, it had been years since I’d seen her, but things didn’t change that much. Tells were tells, and she had a huge one when it came to her happiness.

I began to bring the food to the table. She had bought enough for a full-on feast. I was good with that, though. When it came to Sal’s and Italian fare, I could hold my own. As I brought out each one, I finally found the one I was looking for. I would sample them all, but their gnocci covered in a tomato cream sauce was to die for! That would be my main.

Putting the last of the serving utensils on the table, I took a seat, put my napkin in my lap and waited for Destiny to start in. I had so many questions for her, but the most obvious one, how she wound back up in Caldwell, would have to wait. I needed to hear about that sparkle, first.

Destiny:

Unsure of what the twinkle she referred to was, I took a moment to think what she could be referring to.   “Well, I do love my new job.  But I’m still trying to find a place to stay besides the hotel so it isn’t my home.” I opened the container full of chicken carbonara and for some strange reason had a flash back to the night of my interview and who I saw that night. She couldn’t possibly have known how I longed to see him again.  “There really isn’t much going on outside of working but I am happy to be back here. I’m hoping I can reconnect with some of my past connections. And speaking of the past, do you still see any of the other Chosen or..” I hesitate for a moment “or.. any of the Brotherhood?” I could feel my cheeks flushing a bit and hoped she didn’t notice.  

Bennu:

Staring out over the variety of food that Destiny had brought, I decided to start off with some of Sal’s famous garlic bread, while I dished out some antipasto onto my plate. I listened intently to Destiny explain how happy she was to be back home and to reconnect and I had a brilliant idea, but the second I saw the tint of her skin go from that dark, dusty, rose of the blush she usually used to a deep, radiant red that reached her ears and her neck, I knew exactly what the twinkle in her eye was.

I placed my fork onto the edge of my plate. “You’re hoping to see him, aren’t you? Is that why you came all the way back here? You know, you’d have to go to the manse. He doesn’t really get out.” I think I had been the only one that Destiny had ever confided in about her feelings for the King. Which was probably for the best. At the time, he was grieving his Queen and people would have just given her a hard time about it all. Phury would have had a heart attack! I wasn’t actually quite sure why I was encouraging it now. From Wrath’s perspective, it may as well have been yesterday that Beth went unto the Fade, but things just seemed different, now. Maybe, it was a difference that I saw in Destiny. Maybe it was the fact that everyone felt that Wrath could stand to move on from his grief. Then again, maybe I was just sticking my nose into things that were absolutely none of my business. But, Destiny was my best friend and if there was something I could do to help her be happy, I would do it.

I picked up my fork and popped a mushroom into my mouth. As soon as I swallowed, I began to acknowledge her questions. “So, in answer to your questions, yes and yes. I still see pretty much everyone. I still offer up my blood services to the Brotherhood one night a week, and aside from that, I have kept in touch with virtually everyone. I try to get to the camp at least a couple times a month. You should see it now. It’s huge! They’ve added so much to it.” I began to dig into the salad. “So, why did you come back, sister mine?”

Destiny:

I picked up a forkful of past and let it fall back to the dish.  “No, I didn’t come back because of him.” I pick up the pasta again and take a small bite thinking hard about my answer.  Could he have been part of it? “I came back because of the dangers of being on my own. The  protection of being within the Brotherhood’s close proximity.  It’s a scary world out there and I just had an undeniable pull to return.”

I picked up a piece of garlic bread and broke off a piece. “However, I saw him. It was at the interview for the job and he was having dinner with a couple of the others.” I drop the bread and lean closer to her whispering as if I didn’t want anyone else to hear even though there was no one to hear. “I swear I jumped back in time and every one of the … feelings came rushing back. I wanted to drop to my knees and offer him my vein just like before.  I dream of him every time I close my eyes.  I know it is wrong to desire a male who doesn’t even know I exist and one I should never desire.  But, Bennu, I cannot help it.”  

I sit back and take a deep breath.  “And of course I will never admit this to anyone but you and, of course, would never act on it.  You have always been my best friend and I know you what we share stays between us.  Ok, now that I have admitted it, I can put it behind me.”  I smile as I push the pasta around on my plate.  “Besides, he will never love another female.  So, why bother getting my hopes up. Right?”

Bennu:

Even though she denied that Wrath was the reason for her return, and the rest of her reasoning was sound, I could hear the doubt in her voice when she denied it. “You didn’t come across any danger, did you?” The thought of Destiny out there, in the world, and in danger was terrifying for me. Although I was close to many of my other sisters, Destiny was like my soul sister. I don’t know what I would do if anything ever happened to her.

Digging into the gnocci, I listened to her story about running into Wrath at her interview. “I’m surprised you got through the interview!” I teased. “It’s not wrong to have feelings, Des. And, you never know… you may be just the female to turn that din of an existence Wrath calls a life around.” I knew she was trying not to get her hopes up, and I wasn’t trying to put her in a position to get her heart broken. But, who said she couldn’t have what she wanted?

So as not to put too much pressure on her, I changed the subject a little. “So, speaking of males and feelings, I ran into Shade last time I was at the manse to offer up my vein. I usually go on Fridays, because he’s not on rotation on Fridays. But apparently, he was covering for one of the other males.”

Shade was a male I had become involved with in years ago, and eventually the reason I left the manse. I had believed he was my one true mate. Unfortunately, his feelings were not as strong and he never had that imprint on me that other males get when they meet their mate. We had kept our relationship a secret because we were afraid of what Phury would do. As it turned out, his intense feelings stemmed from that all the mystery, and once we were found out and Phury allowed our relationship to continue, Shade began to lose interest. I was left heartbroken and embarrassed and decided that it was time for me to find a life outside of the manse for myself. So, that was the reason I left. I still see him, once in a while, and every time I do it’s awkward as hell. He has tried to apologize many times. But, hearing him say over and over again that he was sorry he never felt like I did, was more than horrifying. I got it, I did. I just didn’t want to ever hear him say it, again.

Destiny:  

I reach over and take her hand knowing that seeing him had to be hard on her.  “How bad was that?  Please tell me you didn’t talk with him.  I know he always tries to apologize.”  She doesn’t say anything right away and I recall how heartbroken she was when he backed out of their relationship.  The tears she had shed seemed so long ago but I knew that kind of pain could still be felt.   “You were too good for him anyway.  He doesn’t deserve you.  You deserve a male who knows how valuable you are and appreciates all of you.”  

I sit back and watch her play with the gnocci wondering what is going through her mind as I can’t tell from the look on her face.  “Hey, forget Shade.  Oh, I have an idea.  There are a couple of single males at the restaurant if you might be interested?”

Bennu:

As I push around a piece of gnocci on my plate, I remember the feeling in my gut as Shade came around that corner, in the med suite, at the manse. Even after all these years, he can still make my stomach feel like it has butterflies fluttering around in there. I internally roll my eyes at myself. Well, maybe I did a slight eye roll externally, too. I’m such an idiot. Part of me still secretly hopes that he might wake up one day and realize how much of a good thing he let go of. Another part of me wishes I never had to see him again. Although, after twenty-three years, you would think that I would have woken up by now, seen the proverbial light, and moved on. Nope. Not this hopeless romantic. I swear, sometimes I feel like Ally McBeal… and I want to kick myself. I should be more like MacKayla Lane.

“Nah. You know what. Someday it will happen for me. Until then, I have plenty of things to keep me occupied.” I stuff a gnocci into my mouth and savor the taste of it. “I forgot just how good the food is at Sal’s!”

Grabbing a piece of bread, I slather some butter onto one side. “So, you mentioned earlier that you were looking for a place. Why don’t you stay in my second bedroom? All I have in there is my extra massage table, and no one ever comes here for a session. I honestly don’t know why I still have it set up in there. I should probably just bring it to the manse or Safe Place. Anyway, the room is yours, if you want it.”

Destiny:

I almost drop my fork when she offers me a place to stay.  It made a feeling of warm rush through my body, almost like a feeling of coming home.  In a sense, she was like home to me.  At least the only home I had truly had.   “Bennu, that is is an amazing offer. I…” My words falter for a few seconds and I have to take a deep breath and fight back the tears I feel forming.  “I would love that.  I don’t have a lot of things so If you need to leave the table it is no problem. I can pay you for the room, too.”  

I take a bite and then grin.  “It will be like when we were young and stayed up past the curfew to talk about males and things we wanted to happen when we grew older.  But are you sure?  I don’t want to impose on you and I wouldn’t want to be in your way.”  I sit back hoping to myself she is completely serious as this would be exactly what I need right now to get out of the place I am in now.  

Bennu:

Tossing an incredulous look at Destiny, I spout out, “Absolutely!” I shake my head to emphasise my stance, “It’s no imposition at all. Don’t be silly. You need a place to stay, other than that hotel room you’re in and I have an empty room. Of course it’s yours!” A smile creeps across my features as I remember all the fun we used to have… and the trouble we used to get into, and a chuckle slips out. “Remember that time we snuck in to look into the scribe bowls? I thought for sure someone would rat us out. Thankfully, Shanda was the only one there. If The Directrix had been there, we would have been in so much trouble.” I thought back on the night fondly. “It seems like a lifetime ago”

Sometimes I wonder how life would have ended up so differently for us all if Phury hadn’t become the Primale. Vishous was actually almost the Primale, at one point! With all due respect to the Brother, that would have ended up horrifically! But, what if it had been someone else? What if we were never brought to This Side? We were never given the freedom we have now? I would have ended up an Ehros, like my mahmen before me. I don’t know how well I would have done with that position. Not that I wouldn’t have wanted to fulfill my duties. I mean, that was what we were created for, it was our station. But now that I know what freedom really feels like, I would never want to go back to all that.

Shaking my thoughts back to the present, I take a look at my best friend and sister, “It’s settled then, you move in as soon as you can get packed up from the hotel.” I flash Des an enormous smile.

*At the Audience House, I file the paperwork I’d brought from the Compound and start catching Saxton up on everything Uncle Wrath and I had discussed this evening. We start working on rearranging the schedule, and after a bit I get up to go ask the doggen to bring in a fresh pot of coffee. On the way back to the meeting room, the doorbell chimes so I detour to go answer it. I open it- and immediately feel my jaw drop in shock. On the other side is a female, dirty and obviously exhausted, with a tumble of disheveled blonde hair and a face I haven’t seen outside of pictures and memories in more than eighty years* Auntie Layla?! *I catch her as she pitches forward, shouting for help as we go down to the floor*

Layla:

*The female that answered the door seemed familiar but I couldn’t quite place her yet. Her shocked face led me to believe she knew me too. Exhaustion hit hard at that moment and I collapsed against her, blackness surrounding me. When I came to I was on a sofa, the lovely female who answered the door beside me looking worried. “Auntie Layla?” she questions, “I am Layla” I croak out. I look at her and it suddenly hits me who she must be, “Nalla? Is that you?” I forget how long I must have been away looking into the grown beauty before me. She nods her head and I relax knowing I am now safe. “May I have a drink of water?” She hands me a glass and I gingerly sip from it enjoying the coolness of the water going down my dry throat.

“Nalla, Qhuinn and Phury? Did they survive the Omega? Is my daughter here? Is she safe? Where is my son?” The questions were flying out of me but I had to know. “Did the Omega take anyone else?”

Nalla takes a deep breath, looks at Saxton, and I know the answers are not good. “Help is coming Auntie Layla.” is all she says.*

Nalla:

*After I catch Aunt Layla, doggen rush into the room in response to my shouts, with Saxton close on their heels. The doggen help me get her over to one of the sofas in the lobby, while Sax calls for help. She starts to stir, so I lay a gentle hand on her shoulder to keep her from rolling off the couch.* Auntie Layla? *I ask again, and she nods and confirms her identity. Then she asks if I’m Nalla-after all, the last time she saw me I was 10, so it’s not a surprise that she doesn’t really recognize me. When she asks for water, one of the doggen hurried to the kitchen for a glass, and I help her hold it steady while she sips. Then she starts asking about that night, things like if Uncle Phury and Uncle Q had survived. Where Rhamp is. I glance at Sax* Help is on the way, Auntie Layla. *I hear the mobile unit coming down the street, so I know we don’t have a lot of time, but I can at least give her some highlights for now. I squeeze her hand.* We do have a lot to catch up on, but for now: yes, we have Lyric. She’s in the clinic right now. No, Uncle Phury and Uncle Qhuinn didn’t survive. And for the longest time, we’d actually thought you’d all died that night. As for Rhamp, we don’t really know where he is. He took off right after his transition. He just…. wasn’t the same after that night. *I step back as Uncle Manny and Aunt Jane come in through the front door so they can do their thing.*

Layla:

*Nalla confirms my worst fear, Phury and Q didn’t make it. I hold the tears back as much as possible but they spill over as she says they have my daughter. They flow harder when she tells me my son has left and no one knows where. I hiccup with the attempt to stop the tear flow, it’s hard but I know it won’t do any good. Tears don’t change reality and I have to face it and go onward. I nod, “thank you for telling me Nalla.” “I know you all probably have questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. I just need to rest a bit and maybe feed...it’s been so long.”

Nalla smiles and squeezes my hand just as Manny and Jane come through the door and kneel by me. I try to sit up but they urge me to stay laying down as they take my vitals. “Good to see you two again.” I say with a small grin. Jane smiles and takes my blood pressure while Manny talks about getting a stretcher. “No, I can walk on my own Manny.” He looks about to argue with me but Jane tells him it will be ok. After the initial exam I stand, with help from Manny and Nalla following close behind, and head out to the mobile unit. I get in and lay on the stretcher while Nalla and Jane hop in with me and Manny gets behind the wheel. Saxton says he will meet us at the manse and off we go.

When we get to the manse Jane says I need to stay on the stretcher. I’m too tired to argue so I give in and they wheel me into a room in the clinic. As we head in I see several familiar faces but realize several are missing as well. My heart hurts thinking about all that has been lost. The guilt returns with a vengeance while Manny is trying to ask me questions about the last time I fed and ate and all that. “I haven’t eaten solid food in a week or so, he gave me protein drinks mostly and iron pills.” “Once in a while I would get a sandwich of some kind.” “Feeding….I can’t tell you the last time I did that.” I swallow my disgust and shame as I say, “ the Omega liked to inject me occasionally with his blood or diluted blood from a human he would take prisoner and play with.” The shock and horror quickly crosses the faces of those in the room and I can’t help but turn my head and close my eyes. It’s too shameful, I know this and it probably makes them question how trustworthy I am. But they need to know the truth.

Manny nods his head and places his hand on my cheek. “It’s ok Layla, we know you’ve been through hell and it’s not your fault.” I wish I could believe that. “Thank you Manny. I’m ready to answer any questions the King or Brothers may have about what went on, but first can you tell me how my daughter is doing?”

Nalla:

*I stay with Aunt Layla in the mobile unit as we go back to the Compound. I know that Aunt Jane and Uncle Manny are familiar faces to her too- maybe even more so than I am in a way, since she’s never seen me as an adult before tonight- but I still didn’t want to leave her to face the medics by herself. We get her to the clinic, and I watch the grief play over her face as she looks around as she’s wheeled in, no doubt thinking of all the time she’s missed with us and those who aren’t here. As soon as we get her settled into an exam room Aunt Jane is called out of the room to treat someone else, and I settle into a chair, to let Aunt Layla know I’m still here for her, and so I can be out of the way but still jump in and help Uncle Manny if necessary. Then after a bit my phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket to see my hellren’s name and photo on my home screen. I answer, and as I hear his words- and what’s going on in the background- I feel the blood drain from my face and I start to shake. Now I know the other case Aunt Jane was called out for. I get to my feet and look at Auntie Layla.* I’m so sorry! I’ll come back later to check on you, I promise, but right now I have to go! *I turn and run out of the room, keeping my phone to my ear as I run down the hall and around the corner- to the room where another beloved aunt is being treated.*

Written with @GraceOfAPhoenix.

Bennu: There were days when my job was just one of the most satisfying things I could ever do. Today had started out as one of those days. When I first arrived, I found out that one of our long-time residents, Natalie, had gotten the job we had set her up for and she and her daughter were going to be able to move into their own place.

She had come so amazingly far from when she first arrived. She and her 7-year-old daughter had been beaten severely. Actually, she almost didn’t make it. She had been left for dead. It was a miracle that Havers had been able to bring her back. When Havers had been called by their neighbor, Natalie wasn’t even breathing. Half a dozen surgeries later, between the two of them, and they wound up here, on our doorstep.

It’s been a little over ten months since then and they have both been put through the wringer. There is no reason in this world why a 7-year-old child should have to endure the things she has, let alone what Natalie has been through. Natalie’s cousin came into town from Wyoming to retaliate against the husband, and from what I hear, the husband never had a chance. Unfortunately, the cousin couldn’t stay, which made it harder on Natalie and her young, and why they ended up here. But this evening, she was offered a brand new job and handed the keys to their very own apartment. They had been given a whole new lease on life, and after all the time I had spent with the two of them, I knew they were going to make the most of it.

Strolling into Mary’s office, I couldn’t have been happier for Natalie and her young. However, the reason I was in Mary’s office was that we had a new resident. She had been at the house for a little over a month and already had some intense counseling. Now, it was time for her to start the physical rehabilitation that I could offer. It would be slow to start. Once a week, and depending on how she reacted, it would be as short as 10 minutes to as long as one hour. There was a lot to what I did and each person reacts differently. Most here, at the home, have been severely abused and can’t handle touch in the beginning, so we start off gradually. Sometimes, we don’t even start with a massage and just spend time talking, whatever is going to be best for the client.

I took a seat across from Mary, ready to hear about this new resident. I had seen her around but didn’t know much about her backstory.

Mary: [With everything that has been going on at the manse, I had barely any time to spend at Safe Place. But over the decades we have expanded and we’re able to hire more managers to keep up with the day to day activities while Marissa, Bella and I dealt with more family and just the payroll and any big decisions with the Safe Place as of late. I wanted to take my mind off Bitty and Lyric so I decided to head back to work and get some updates on the residents and the employees.

Rhym, our full-time general manager, spent the last few hours updating me on various projects, residents and other daily activities that have been going on in the past few months. I was very proud and relieved at how well everything was running while the shellans and I took a step back for a bit. She was just telling me about Natalie and her accomplishments that I wanted to meet with Bennu to get to know her thoughts on Natalie and her transition being on her own. Getting the information from the intake coordinator. Bennu arrived in good spirits as she sat across from me.]

Hey Bennu, how it going? Rhym just told me about Natalie. Tell me more [I asked.]

Bennu: Sitting across from Mary, I always had a strong sense of calm. She was one of those people that could put you at ease without uttering a word. I think it was partially due to her training, but also greatly due to her character. She just had a reassuring sense about her. It was a quality that couldn’t be learned in a classroom. It was something ingrained and Mary had it in spades. I believe it’s one of the reasons this place did so well.

“Natalie has done amazing! I helped her into her place this evening. I know it’s not really part of my job, but I’ve worked so closely with her and her daughter in the past few months that I really wanted to be there, for them, for this. It’s just a small, one-bedroom and Natalie will sleep on the pull-out sofa. But, the sparkle in that little girl’s eyes when she saw all the toys that had been collected just for her… “ Tears welled in my eyes as I remembered. “She was beside herself.”

I continued, “For now, we got her a dishwashing job at Sal’s. That way, even though her hellren is gone, she can feel safe in knowing that she is well protected. Her daughter will still come here in the evenings, while Natalie is working, and become a member of our daycare program, so again, peace of mind for the two of them.

“I know it will take a little time, but they are going to be alright, out there, in the world. Natalie even has plans of taking some night classes in law.”

These were the best conversations, the ones that spoke about females that had been through the program and were moving on.

I shifted in my seat a little and sat straighter, “So… tell me of our newest resident. I hear she is ready to start work with me.”

Mary: [I listen with a smile as she animatedly tells me about Natalie and her progress. She was quite proud and she should be. She did a great job and I was impressed with the progress of our resident. I felt more comfortable knowing her experience with Natalie that she would do well with our latest new resident.]

Honestly, I’m not sure /she/ feels ready but I feel that without going forward and start getting her life together that all of her confidence she built to get out of her situation for herself and her young sons will disappear. Her name is Deanne came to us from #Havers after he set the younger son’s arm from a fracture but he noticed from the x-ray that there had been several healed breaks. One of the nurses took notice of how many times she came in for herself or for her sons and finally convinced her to come to us. So, the Brothers that are not on rotation or on duty at the Audience house are on alert, just in case, her hellren shows up. We also have them staying in the Wellessandra wing underground.]

Bennu: I listened intently to all the details about Deanne and her family. The ones that are reluctant to come to us are usually the ones that it takes the longest to get through to. It sounds as if she will be no exception to this rule. Young are more resilient, though. So, maybe it will be easier to get through to the boys. Time will tell.

“Well, sounds like I should start them off as a group. I’ll have to go slowly with her. It sounds as if both trust and touch will be difficult for her for a while, and that’s okay. If I have to start off with just talk, I can do that.” I picked up the file on Mary’s desk and quickly flipped through it. “Her story sounds a little like Tanya’s. However, we didn’t have to worry about Tanya’s hellren coming around for long.” We all knew how Tanya’s hellren’s story went. After Tanya’s sire got finished with him. His family was so ashamed of him, they shipped him back to the old country. “With the concern of Deanne’s hellren coming around, it is going to make it that much more difficult for them to feel in control. Hopefully, I can help them out with that.”

It wasn’t really my place, to suggest things outside of my purview, but I had picked up quite a bit of training while working at Safe Place and I felt comfortable speaking up with Mary. “I know it’s not my place, but I wonder if we shouldn’t start Deanne off sooner, rather than later, with some self defense training? It will go a long way with her self-worth and might give her that sense of control she is probably desperately seeking. Not to mention the effect it will have on her boys to see their mahmen start feeling like she can take charge of her life a little more.” Dipping my head in reverence, something long since ingrained in me from my years as a Chosen, I added, “Of course, you would know way better than me about that type of stuff.”

Mary: [Listening to Bennu’s plan, I learned more and more how detail oriented she was and it was a sound plan for Deanne. Her thoughts on the timeline were succinct and thoughtful observation.]

Yes, I think it is a great idea. Let’s start her off sooner rather than later, have her take control of something in her life and build her confidence. She needs to feel that she’s strong and that will help her boys know that everything will be ok.

You’re doing a great job and I appreciate your dedication for your work. When do you think you can start with Deanne?

Bennu: I was always filled with such pride when Mary thought that one of my suggestions on something outside of my own scope of work was worth putting into play. I had been doing massage for so many years that I felt more than comfortable with my knowledge on the subject. I also kept up with my continuing education, constantly learning more and more about my field of choice. But, when it came to the inner workings of other parts of Safe Place, I sometimes felt like it wasn’t my place to speak up. So, when I did and it was taken seriously, it made me feel all the more that I was in the right place.

I bowed my head once more, in respect of the compliment. “Thank you. It is an honor to be able to do what I do.”

Pulling up my iPad and turning it on, I scrolled through my schedule. “Why don’t we schedule something for the beginning of next week, maybe Monday or Tuesday? I have a 9 pm spot on Monday or a 10 pm spot on Tuesday. Let’s make sure to schedule them all together. I’ll bring in the chair and if they feel up to it, we’ll start with that. Otherwise, I will just explain the process to them and we can go from there.”

Mary: Sounds great, let’s do Tuesday to give her a few days to get used to everything around here and meet the other residents and then start with your plans. [She had a good head on her shoulders so I knew that Deanne was in good hands. I could go back and concentrate on things at home now that #SafePlace was running like a well oiled machine with #Rhym and Bennu while the rest of us could focus on home right now. Rhage needed me, after all that has happened with the rescue and now Bitty. We needed each other more than anything. It was so hard to focus and be here that I knew I needed to leave it to Rhym and Bennu to handle #SafePlace.]

You have my cell phone. Let me know if you need anything from me.

Bennu: I nodded as I wrote Deanne and her sons in for the 10 pm spot on Tuesday. I was looking forward to getting to know her and the boys and setting up a plan tailor made for them. Each client at Safe Place was different, with different needs. I could already tell that Deanne was going to need a lot of patience, which I was happy to give. A lot of clients here needed patience. I was curious about the boys. I wondered where they were at in the process and how much they had been affected by everything that had happened. Apparently, broken bones for the youngest had been commonplace. Oftentimes the stories behind the why of how these female and young came to be here infuriated me. This story was no exception.

Nalla: *After Mahmen and I parted ways at the end of First Meal, I take the plate I’d made up for my still-absent hellren up to our suite and, hearing the shower running, I set the tray down on the table in the sitting area. Then I poke my head into the bathroom and tell @WrathByName that there is food waiting for him, and that I’ll be heading to Uncle Wrath’s office to try to get some work done. Walking into the office, I greet mine uncle while walking over to kiss him on the cheek before bending over to give Whiskey a scritch between the ears, and some belly rubs, grinning as he wagged his tail in doggie ecstasy. Then I straighten up and head over to the big table Saxton and I use as a dual desk.* So, what are you working on right now?”

Wrath: Tonight was one of those nights where I got to stay at the manse, instead of going to the Audience House. It wasn’t that I didn’t like going to the Audience House. But, I hated the fact that most of my time there was spent refereeing petty shit amongst members of our race. Had my job, as King, become that elementary to the members of our race? Did they not see that the decisions they had me making for them meant so little in the grand scheme of things? The decisions I made every night, at home, at the manse, held so much more weight, that I longed to have more nights at home. I made life and death decisions every night, important decisions, decisions I had been questioning, as of late. I needed more time at home to make sure those decisions were handled properly. I think I’ve been spending way too much time at the Audience House, being an arbitrator, and not enough time putting the thought necessary into the other things. We just raided a place and ended up having way too many casualties. Had I put enough thought into that plan? Had I thought of all the pros and cons before sending those males and females off to their death? Could I have prevented some of those deaths by putting more consideration into the plans? No telling, now. But, from now on I would be damn fucking sure I looked at all the ins and outs. Top on my list of things to do tonight was to figure out a way to cut back on the Audience House.

No sooner had I mentally added the thought to my list of things to do, did Nalla walk in and asked what I was working on. “Well, funny you should ask. I was just making a mental list of things I need to do tonight and top on that list is cutting back my time at the Audience House and find someone else that can take over seeing the people that come in for the…” how to say this kindly… fuck it, “petty shit. I spend way too much time over there being some sort of ref for the many. There has to be a way to dwindle that down to me being there for only the important shit. Not to make light of anyone’s problems, but seriously, do I need to be dealing with property disputes? I feel as if I need to be putting more time in here, where we make the real decisions.”

Nalla: *Listening to Uncle Wrath’s words, I see the sense they make- and clearly hear the frustration that underlines them. Leaning back in my chair, I ponder his words.* You know, you make an excellent point. Maybe we can arrange things so that either Saxton or I go to the Audience House most nights, while the other stays here to help you with whatever else is going on. Then you’d only have to go there for the more important meetings. As you said, there’s really no need for you to be dealing with more minor things like property disputes. I’ll talk to Sax, start getting things rearranged. It shouldn’t be a problem to set things up to where you’re only going to the House one or two nights a week. *leaning forward to grab my phone off the table, I make a note on my to-do list to have that convo with Sax.* Honestly, I wonder why none of us thought of this before. I mean, I know you like meeting with your subjects and connecting with them personally, but that needs to be balanced with your other responsibilities and your personal life. And don’t look at me like that, dearest Uncle Mine. *I smirk* Even a king as badass and wonderful as you are needs some time to himself once in a while or he’ll burn out. *I make a mental note to talk to @WrathByName about getting Uncle Wrath out of Caldwell for a couple days once things settle down a bit. The male could definitely use a breather as soon as it can be managed! We all could, but especially him* So, now that that’s settled, what’s next on the agenda?

Wrath: I listened intently to all of Nalla’s suggestions. Over the years, she had grown to become an integral part of my team. Who would have known it all those years ago? As a young she was the quiet one of the group, always so attentive to everything around her, unlike the young males that would bulldoze everything in their way, without a second thought. Although, I guess that’s what made her so perfect for this position. She has always been so keen about the details. That’s how she keeps me on my toes. She doesn’t let me forget a thing.

“I like the idea of having on night set aside each week, whether it be Wednesdays, or Thursdays… it doesn’t matter the day, but one night every week where I am at the Audience House for the important matters. The rest of the time, as you said, either you or Saxton could be there in my stead, with the other being here with me.” I completely ignored the comment about a personal life. I hadn’t had one of those for too many years. Aside from spending time with my Brotherhood family, my work was my life.

Next on the agenda? “Well, there’s still the matter of Lyric. She is obviously stricken by a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome and I don’t want to cause her anymore undo stress, but I need to figure out how to attack this issue, cautiously. So, I should probably sit down with Mary, sooner rather than later, to discuss the best course of action with Lyric.”

Nalla: *I note the way he ignores my comment about personal time, but decide to let it be for the moment. There’s a time and place for pushing, but this isn’t it. One, we’ve got other, slightly more pressing things to see to just now. Two, I know Uncle Wrath doesn’t like to take any time for himself, or even talk about it. So, I’ll definitely need some backup when it comes time for that convo. LW definitely, Auntie Mary could also help, any of the Brothers would be happy to chime in, and maybe Aunt Jane could join in too with a concerned doctor bit. It’d be an ambush, no doubt about that, but I’m not afraid to play dirty if the situation calls for it. But for now, I just nod at his words* Alright, I’ll ask Auntie Mary when she might be able to come and touch base with you about that. I’ll also ask Aunt Jane if there are any updates as to Lyric’s physical condition. *I make a couple more notes on my to-do list* We should also think about housing for her, for when she can leave the Clinic. She can’t stay there forever, after all- but where can she live once she’s well enough? Here in the manse? Or, if we give her one of the safe houses, can we trust her not to try to run away and rejoin the Omega? Come to think of it, could we even trust her to stay put here in the Compound? *note, note, note* Lots of logistics to consider on that point, isn’t there?

Wrath: Nalla has some incredibly valid points when it comes to Lyric. “I definitely do not want her to feel like a prisoner. However, I don’t trust that she wouldn’t bolt the first chance she had, were we to give her complete freedom.” I run my palm across the back of my neck. “She must stay here, on the grounds… not in the manse. I’m not sure I trust her enough to have her roaming these halls, freely. Still, the clinic and the training center seems too confined. Plus, in the training center, there are too many impressionable young. Unfortunately, she will need to be monitored until she can be trusted. I don’t see another way. Unless you have any ideas?”

Patiently, I waited for a response from Nalla. This was definitely one of those rock and hard place situations. The last thing we needed was for Lyric to think of us as her hostage takers, but at the moment, her allegiance was to The Omega. She was not to be trusted. We needed to break through to her, show her that we are her family, not her enemy. I just wasn’t sure I knew how to do that. Maybe, Mary would have some insight into how to approach this whole scenario?

Nalla: *I shake my head* No, I don’t really have any ideas, but then I’m not a psychologist. We’ll have to ask Auntie Mary about that too. But I agree, we should keep Lyric away from the trainees for now. The Pit might’ve worked, if it were unoccupied, but I wouldn’t feel right about asking Uncle V, Aunt Jane, and Auntie Marissa to move- especially Auntie Marissa. *After all, The Pit was the only home she’d ever shared with her hellren- how could we ask her to give it up, even temporarily? I suggest that we move on and tackle some of the other issues on the agenda. Maybe focusing on something else for a little while and letting the Lyric situation just percolate in the backs of our minds will help an idea shake loose. Then we finish up, and I head off to the Audience House to drop off some paperwork and talk to Saxton about starting to rearrange the schedule for Uncle Wrath.*

Brian: I was pacing in my room, everything was too fucking much. Way too fucking much for me to process. I was knocked out and dragged back to who the hell knew where. The woman flipped shit the moment she saw me, she did NOT look happy. Nor was I to find out she was…his lover? I didn’t know. The term was so…foreign to me. I debated on growling, screaming, something. I haven’t tried the door yet, I didn’t want to. I didn’t know what was on the other side. For all I knew, it could have been my death. Strangely, that wasn’t what scared me. No, what scared me to find her, or someone else not happy to see that I existed. Inhaling I walked over to the door and turned it and opened the door slightly to see the guy who knocked me out. I was about to growl but then stopped myself. He nodded in greeting, “Wrath would like to see you in his office.” My fingers clenched, I wasn’t stupid. A hot head, sure, stupid, no. He walked ahead of me, like if he didn’t care if I was going to follow him or not. We both knew I’d follow him though, so I did. My head hung down low.

Wrath: It had been about an hour since Marissa had erupted through my door. She was pissed that I hadn’t told her about Brian before she ran into him at the Audience House. I tried to explain that I did everything I could to keep her from running into him before I had a chance to tell her about him, but all she kept getting hung up on was the fact that V and I had known for over a week and hadn’t told her sooner. But, we couldn’t have. We weren’t sure. We just had this kid that looked pretty similar and a hunch. We needed proof. So we waited until we had it. Then we needed to talk to the kid to find out where his interests lay. Did he just want answers, or did he want more than that? There was no reason to give any of this information to anyone, if Brian was just looking for answers, and once he had them, he was just going to go on with his life. Yes, we would have told Marissa about him. But, we all know, there is a distinctive line between their world and ours, and if Brian decides to choose his own, that would be it.

Marissa had stormed out about half an hour ago and left me to my own thoughts on the matter. I wasn’t sure how this was all going to go over, but aside from Marissa, most everyone else in the manse was looking forward to getting to know Brian better.

There was an abrupt knock on my door and I heard Micah on the other side. “Sire. He is awake and ready to see you.”

“Come on in.” I called out.

Brian: The door opened and I slipped inside. My nerves were shot. How the fuck did I get myself mixed into these damn situations. I didn’t bother to look up and see where we were going, there was no point to. I was too busy stuck in my own head, but when I looked up and heard the other’s voice. I automatically stiffened my spine, and took a seat in front of him. I didn’t know what this was about, I did exactly as he had requested. I stayed put at the other place. I didn’t know what to really say, except…”I’m sorry.”

Wrath: Michah led Brian into my office and I thanked him before releasing him of his duties. “Thank you, Michah. Please go find V and let him know that Brian is here.”

Michah promptly left and I turned to the kid in front of me. I could sense his discomfort as he slid into the chair. “There is no need for sorry.” I wasn’t even sure what he was apologizing for. “I imagine you have some questions.” Where to begin? “So, we’ve told you a little about your great-grandsire. Cop was a great male. He was much loved by our family. As I have told you, he was a distant relative of mine own, as well as Manny’s, who you can meet in a bit. We have made everyone at the manse aware that you are here. They are all looking forward to meeting you. However, I figured it might be a little overwhelming to be onslaughted by the whole of the manse at once, plus there are a few things we still have not explained that you will want to know beforehand.”

…and now to drop the hammer… “We are not like any of the people you have met in your life, so far. We are in fact a completely different species, one the world knows nothing about. Well, at least nothing that is completely accurate. I know that is hard to hear and believe. But, I promise you we are not a danger to you.” I paused, unsure of how to break the final piece, ‘Vampire.’ I was waiting to see how he was going to respond to what I had already said, when I heard the door open back up and smelled the scent of Turkish tobacco waft in. Ah, V. Maybe he could help me get past this little hump.

“So, where we at? What have you told him, so far?”

Brian:  I sat down, crossing my arms against my chest. It wasn’t meant to be offensive, it’s a cop pose for me as I heard everything that was told. Some of it was a repeat, I didn’t think he needed to worry about my sensory overload. What I was worried about though, was the fact that everyone that I’ve met, the other woman, these two, and the servants have told me that I looked like him. Were they going to be able to handle seeing me? Me being around as a reminder?  I rubbed at my hands before leaning over and scrubbing my face as he told me a little bit more about what they were. “The other one informed me of…some things. She didn’t say exactly what you ya’ll were…but she did tell me that my grandsire? Died a few years ago.” I pointed out. Bitterness rang in my tone about that, but I ignored that piece of information, for now. Soon the smell of turkish tobacco filled my nose and I turned to see the other gruff male. Cocking my head to the side, I studied him. There was something…calming about this guy. I looked back at Wrath, a grin spreading my face but I dropped it. Now was not the time to pull stupid humor out of my ass to only have me killed. “You say you’re different from the legends, myths, yadda yadda yadda, how?”

Wrath:

There was a shift in Brian’s scent as V walked in the door. I might have missed it through all the Turkish tobacco that blew in, but my senses were more keen than that. It was as if I could feel his whole body ease into his seat. This was good information to know, a nugget I would tuck away in case it was necessary, at a later time. This was not something new that I did. I could scent people’s emotions most of the time. The slightest deviations in their smell could tell me if someone was lying, afraid, angry, excited… the list went on. As I noticed particular changes in people’s emotions, I would make mental notes of them, if I could tell what the root cause was. It was useful to know what set people’s emotions off.

This may actually be useful now, as I break the information of what we were to Brian. “We are vampires, Brian. Not in the sense of the word you are used to, though. Most importantly for you to know is, we don’t feed off humans. We actually feed off each other, willingly. And, we do not kill your kind. We actually try to keep to ourselves and leave your kind to themselves. Some of the ways we are the same to the myths are, we do drink blood, but as I said, we drink of our own kind, and it is of our own free will. You won’t find us out during the day.” I decided to skim over this part. No need for him to know our weaknesses, right now. So, I moved on quickly, without saying much more about that. “We do have… fangs, I guess would be the word you would use. Things we don’t do… again, kill people, or feed on their blood.”

“And, We don’t turn into bats.” V tossed out. This was a long standing issue for him

I nodded and continued, “We are also not deathly allergic to garlic and religious artifacts. There is obviously a lot more to our world, but those are some of the basics, as far as myths and legends are concerned.” Should he choose to stay in our world, there would be a lot more to discuss with him, but this was a good start.

Brian: I watched their postures, their attitudes. I wasn’t no lazy detective. They were easy to read, well, about this anyway. As if it seemed that it was important to me to know they were telling the truth. I glossed over the word for a moment, it was unconscious thing to do, as he listed the difference between the mythical vampire traits, but there were similarities. Feeding, blood, and allergic to sun. I couldn’t help the snort that escaped me when the other guy mentioned that they didn’t turn into bats. I wiped my mouth to hide the grin that threatened to spread. Vampires. I honestly didn’t know whether to accept it, or to call them all insane, however it made sense when I put the pieces together. “You’re the king vampire then.” I stated, not question. “That’s why it was so damn hard to see you the first day until someone recognized my name because of Butch.” The pieces were beginning to fall into place, but a few things didn’t make sense. “You claim you don’t bite people, but you said great grandfather was one of you, and he died only a few years back…how was he turned?”

Wrath: Sitting just the slightest bit straighter, I nodded in response to the question about me being the King. I had been for almost a century now, and even though there were many moments over the years where I wish I never set my ass on this throne, I was proud of what I had accomplished as the race’s King.

“Your great grandsire was a half-breed. He was only half-vampire. Most vampires go through a transition around the age of twenty-five, in which they inherit all their vampire qualities. Some half-breeds will go through it, while others will not. Thankfully, your great-grandsire did not transition. He would not have had anyone in his life to help him through it at the time and he would have died. However, once he learned of his heritage, and met Marissa, he chose to be pushed through his transition. The only reason this was possible was due to his bloodline, my bloodline. I am the only living vampire with pure blood. The fact that he had my bloodlines in his veins was what got him through his transition.

“You see, when he met Marissa, he had met his mate. It’s not easy to explain to a human what that means. The closest word I could use is imprinting. When a vampire meets their mate, it is written in blood. There is no walking away from your mate. So, he asked us to help him transition and become one of us, so he could live with her as long as she would. Unfortunately, his fate was not as he wished and he passed unto the Fade a few years ago, during battle.” I felt as if I were rambling, but there was so much he didn’t know.

Brian: I nibbled on my lower lip as I took in the information that was given to me. Pieces fitting together, things being dished out by each question. What did I want to ask next? Did I want to ask what happened to him? Or did I want to ask if there was a possibility of him changing me? Did I want to do that? I shook my head to relieve some of these questions that built up in my head, but it wasn’t helping. Vishous cleared his throat, “You can ask, but remember, you may not like the answers you’re given.” My head snapped up, and I watched his diamond eyes carefully. Did he see what was going on in my head? He shrugged. “You’re not exactly trying to hide what you’re thinking by your facial features either kid.” I scowled at him. “Aren’t you just a peach.” I growled. He grinned. I looked back at Wrath, “What was the battle you guys were fighting?” I asked.

Wrath: I couldn’t imagine what this kid was going through, right now. First, finding out that his great-grandsire had not died upon his disappearance like they were led to believe, and second, finding out about the existence of vampires. To say that both were hard pills to swallow was probably the understatement of the century, and between the time it was taking Brian to respond and the back and forth between V and him, I could tell he wasn’t sure what to tackle first. I was about to open my mouth to help him out, when he finally came up with a question. Although, it wasn’t any of the questions I would have expected. I expected questions about the process to transition Butch, more questions about his great-gransire, what kind of male was he, what kind of life did he live, was he happy, did he ever think about the family he left behind (even though Butch never knew about Brian’s father, he did leave behind family). Instead, this kid wanted to know about the battle. It’s interesting how shock can register in the brain.

“As vampires, we have an enemy. They are called the Lessening Society. It’s kind of a long story to get into about who they are and how they connect to us, but let’s just say that our creator and their creator are opposite entities, yet siblings. It makes us sound like pawns in their own private game, and trust me, sometimes it feels like we are. But, the Lessening Society is our crux to bear. Our fight with them is as old as time.”

Brian: So like every other fantasy novel there was a balance here as well. I was trying to sort this shit out in my head. So far? Bupkis. I got bupkis. Meaning not a Goddamn thing. I rubbed my temples and breathed softly. “I don’t know why I’m asking this, but I am going to ask anyway…” I wanted to know about Butch but at the same time…I wanted to know more about their world. It was fascinating and I guess I could understand why Butch left the human world. It didn’t stop the simmering anger though. “Know what, never mind.” I waved it off before looking at Wrath, sitting back and cross my leg over the other. My fingers steepled under my chin as it rested on my index fingers. “Would you mind if I asked how the battle of balance is going?”

Wrath: I was curious to know what Brian wasn’t saying. He obviously wanted to know something of importance to him. But, if he really wanted to know, he’d ask it in his own time. I was not going to beat the question out of him.

“Well, it could be going better… a lot better. Over the past half a century the Lessening Society got somewhat of an upgrade and now they are more difficult to kill than they ever have been. Which, in turn has made it easier for their numbers to climb. Back, almost a hundred years ago, we were so close to wiping them out. But, things changed.” Thinking about the abduction of Lyric and what that meant for their race was difficult. If it weren’t for that one event we might have ended up wiping out the entire race of lessers. “Now, we are fighting for our race around every corner and we’ve lost too many to count, including your great-grandsire. Although, we continue to train new males for the fight and we will not stop until every one of those baby-powerded fuckers are sent back to their maker!” I don’t know how I knew it, but I was sure that one day we would wipe their race out of existence. It was just a matter of finding the right weapon.

“So, with all that you know so far, I have a question for you. Are you just looking for answers to your questions about your great-grandsire, or are you looking to go down the rabbit hole we discussed and learn more about where you come from? Learn about your heritage? Decide which side of the line you want to live on? Because, this is one line you can’t straddle. You either live in your human world, or you live in our world. There are too many risks to allow anyone to live in both. I am willing to give you four days in our world to decide. After those four days, you will have to choose. Or, we could answer all your questions about your great-grandsire now, and drive you home. What will it be?”

Brian: Cocking my head to the side, I studied as he talked. The confidence grew. He said this was my heritage, was it? Honestly, I didn’t have to even think about it. I wanted in. I didn’t know why this world pulled me into the depth of the issues, but it did. I looked at the male behind Wrath, as if he’d give me an answer, but his face was as stoic as a statue. ‘Asshole…’ I thought, and he smirked. Alright, guessing he could read minds. I ran my fingers through my short hair. “How would I be able to help? I’m human…” I told him. “I have no medical training, well…not the one you’d need. I’m easy pickings…”

Wrath: I had a feeling this decision was going to be an easy one for this kid. He was thirsty, and not just for knowledge about Butch, but also for knowledge about our world. I picked up the phone and dialed for the doggen.

Fred picked up on the first ring. “Yes, sire?” He was always ready to server.

“Fred, please make up one of the spare rooms for our guest. He will be staying for a few days.” I pulled the phone away from my ear to address the kid again. “Is there anything you need at your place? We can send Fred to go get it for you, and don’t worry, he is completely trustworthy.”

Brian: I noticed he didn’t quite answer my question, but that was alright. When he made that request, it was all the answer that I needed. Something within me, settled deep in my chest. /Home/. When he directed his own question toward me, I nodded. “My clothes, and for them to hand in my resignation. Something’s telling me I won’t be going back…” Whether it was because I joined their fight, which was an extreme possibility, or I’d eat a bullet. Personally, I was already eager to start the battle.

Wrath: Nodding at the kid, I brought my attention back to the phone. “Fred, I also need you to send someone to Brian’s home to pick up some clothes.” I hung up the phone and raised my head back to Brian, “You can put in your resignation, after you’ve had a chance to mull everything over.”

Turning to V, I continued, “V, can you get him set up in his new room?”

“Sure thing, boss.” came V’s retort.

“Oh, and one more thing, kid…” I heard him stop at the door. “Don’t worry about what you can contribute if you stay. We’ll figure that out later. Everyone has a purpose. You have one, too.”

*My shit kickers echoed off the walls as I ran down the alley after the lesser. He was new but he still smelled of the acidy fresh baby powder.  He turned to the right and he tried to shimmy over the gate to put more distance between us.   I grab his foot and pulled him off the chain link gate.  I step down feeling his bone twist and snap under my weight. I take out my dagger, and plunge the dagger part deep into his chest. With bright flash of light the lesser vanishes.  Wiping the dagger clean of the black blood on my leathers. I fasten the dagger back up and dematerialize back to the compound.  To my room.

I am standing once again in my room, my hands shake just a bit. I have felt this ache before the ache that I need to feed and I need to feed soon. I can’t wait too much longer. I will let the directrix know that I need a chosen.

I focus on breathing in and out until the shakes are calm.  I head to the closet pulling out my daggers placing them on the velvet fabric. From the back of my waist band, I pull out my Glock 9MM. I unload the clip and bullet from the chamber and place it in the lock drawer in my dresser. I  pull off my shirt, throwing close to the dirty clothes hamper.  Next to be lost is my shitkickers then my leathers. I emerge naked,heading straight for the bathroom. I need to shower.

Co-written with @HisLeelanNalla.

Nalla: *I wake up after I don’t know how long, feeling rested enough to get on with things. But before I go back to Uncle Wrath’s office to try to dive into paperwork again, I need to check up on my family. I slide out of bed, being careful not to wake up my sleeping hellren as I disentangle myself from him. I shower quickly and dress, then go down the hall to my parents’ suite and knock on the door softly.* Mahmen? Are you awake? @BellaAhgony

Bella: *It was getting a little harder for me to wake up in the mornings these last few days. I’m dreaming about my childhood growing up with Rehv and remember all the good times we had. He had always been there for me, from the time I could walk, when I scraped my knee, falling off my bike, to my first crush, then my first breakup. I shook my head laughing at that last one. Oh man, were the parents of that male furious when he came home with a broken arm. 

A knock at the door, breaking my daydreaming as I got up from the bed wearing a t-shirt and some yoga pants. #Zsadist had already been up and showered as it seems if the indication of the warm mist in the room was evident. Opening the door, I find my daughter.* Hey, Nalla.

Nalla: *I hadn’t seen my mahmen since Dad had taken her out of the Clinic just after he’d told us about Uncle Rehv. She looked a little pale and worn out, though I knew Dad had to have been trying to make sure she ate and took care of herself, like LW had been doing with me. I open my mouth to say something, but as grief rears up to choke me, I find myself stepping forward and just wrapping Mahmen in a tight hug instead first. After a minute, I step back with a sniffle and give a watery smile.* Hi Mahmen. How are you holding up?

Bella: *I felt a little more energy seeing Nalla. I wanted to be more put together around her but as she came to me in a tight hug … I found myself tearing up slightly after having thought I had no more. 

After a few moments, she thoughtfully asked how I was feeling. How was I feeling? After spending decades with my brother and now having him gone … it was heartbreaking. I thought of Ehlena and how she must be feeling as well and knew that we weren’t alone in our grief.*

I’m feeling ok. It’s been hard … but it’s that way for all of us. Come, let’s go down to first meal with the family. It’s been a while.

Nalla: *I’m a little surprised by her suggestion at first, but then I realize how much sense it makes. I’d been thinking we might hang out in her and Dad’s suite for a while, talking or watching a movie or something, spending some time together just the two of us. But we’d just had our world seriously shaken up, and maybe doing something normal would help us regain our balance a bit. And surrounding ourselves with family, people who love us and have always been there for us will help too. I smile softly and kiss her cheek as I wrap an arm around her shoulder.* Great idea Mahmen! I wonder what the doggen have cooked today …

Bella: I’m sure #Fred has something delicious prepared as always. I have to admit, having someone else cook for you is always better. I have to admit, I burned a few pans back in my day when I lived in my cottage across from your Aunt Mary. *I chuckled thinking about the phone calls from my big brother when the smoke alarm sounded and the idle threats to either come home back to his home or for him to send me a permanent doggen. I rolled my eyes at the age old arguments. Then, swallowed my tears knowing that I wouldn’t hear him yell at me anymore.*

Then, we can go see Aunt Ehlena and the cousins to see what needs to be done. Hmmm?

Nalla: *Smiles* And that’s why you never helped out when Auntie Beth managed to get around #Fritz to give us kids cooking lessons! *I wrap an arm around your waist when I see the sadness fall across your face again, knowing what you were thinking. No more nagging, overprotective big brother … no more Uncle Rehv.* Yeah, we should definitely go see Auntie Ehlena and her young. She and Maddy, especially, both have a lot resting on their shoulders right now… *I drop my arm as we walk through the door of the dining room and look around to see who else is there.*

Bella: *We were the first ones to arrive as the doggen set our the food on the tables and counters. They had prepared lamb with vegetables, @PurebredMthrFkr’s favorite. I hoped he would come down and dine with us. He’s been really preoccupied lately with all that’s been going on. I don’t blame him … and I hoped he didn’t blame himself either. The only one to blame was the #Omega. 

I grabbed a plate and started to place various dishes on my plate. I knew if I didn’t than #Zsadist would promptly do so, being the protective male that he is. I wonder what he was doing at the moment. As soon as I sat down at the table, I pulled out my phone and sent him a quick text about First Meal and that I missed him.*

Nalla: *I fill a plate and sit next to mahmen, noting that Dad and LW are both absent. I don’t know where Dad is, I didn’t hear him in the room when mahmen had opened the door-hopefully he’s following his son-in-law’s example and getting some rest. Goodness knows everyone could use a break around here! I decide that if LW doesn’t make it down here during the meal, I’ll make up a plate to take up to him. Try to make sure he eats something this evening - and maybe feeds too. Stubborn ass … But in the meantime, I smile and chat with mahmen and everyone else that was there. 

Bella: *My plate is filled with all kinds of delicious food I’m sure the doggen have prepared … but I could not taste anything. I took a few bites and tries to avoid any conversations and just listened. I wasn’t sure where Zsadist was … but then again I’ve been in my own world the last few days. 

It was so difficult for me not to wallow in my heartbreak, I missed my brother. I tried to take a deep breath and concentrate on the conversations around me so I could avoid retreating into my thoughts again.

Nalla: *As I refill my plate, I notice that Mahmen isn’t really saying much. I look over and see that she has a thoughtful, kind of faraway look in her eyes. I know she’s got to be thinking of Uncle Rehv, as I am. How could she not be? Then she seems to snap out of it, looking around and seeming like she’s trying to focus on what’s going on around us. I reach out and squeeze her hand.* How are you doing, Mahmen?

Bella: *I squeeze Nalla’s hand in comfort.* I’m fine. *I lied and smiled and turned to pay more attention to Mary and Rhage’s conversation about what happened with Mary’s session with Lyric. I needed to try and focus on the present and with the people that I could help. I turned to Nalla with a sudden idea.* 

Nalla, you should visit with Lyric. You guys played together so much, almost 24/7, when you guys were little.  I know she will probably not remember you since she was a baby. *It was beyond a long shot since Lyric was so young but perhaps someone closer to her age would bring some kind of memory back.*

Nalla: *I can tell that mahmen is just BSing me when she says that she’s ok, but I let it go for now. Sometimes the comfort of a lie is all that gets you through, even if you know it’s a lie. “Fake it till you make it” and all that. I say nothing as she turns back towards Uncle Rhage and Auntie Mary, but then she turns back to me and blurts out an idea about me visiting with Lyric. 

“Hmmm … that’s an idea. I mean, I don’t know how much good it might do since like you said she probably doesn’t even remember me at all, but I’m happy to do whatever I can to help her. I’ll talk to Auntie Mary about it. 

Bella: Good. *I replied knowing it may be a lost cause but who knows … Scribe knows we could use more miracles after all the heartbreak. I thought back over the years with all the family has been through. All the losses and it made it hard to breathe. I picked up my plate and delivered it to the sink to the doggen’s dismay and excused myself and left the dining room to make my way through the foyer and out the vestibule doors. 

I needed to get fresh air and take steady breaths to prevent myself from breaking down. It’s been a long few nights and I knew it may just be the beginning with all the new changes coming. We all needed to be strong and pitch in.

it’s been two weeks since I started working at Sal’s. I had been through the training and seemed to be getting the swing of it. The staff had all welcomed me with no issues. iAm was amazing to work with. He was an amazing chef and so incredibly kind. Things were going well and I hoped that I would find a place to live soon which was close by. The hotel was just not cozy or very secure.

It had been a while since I had spoken with one of the only other chosen I had stayed in touch with. She didn’t know I had come back to Caldwell. I decided now that I was settled, it was time to reach out to her and let her know I was back. I was hoping she and I could meet and catch up. I decided I would do that on my way to work. I finished my make up and made my way to Sal’s. I had decided I was going to have to break down and buy a car. The taxi service in Caldwell was a pain and it had been so long since I fed, dematerializing was taking a toll on me. I probably needed to do that soon. Who knows where I would find a place.

As I sat in the cab, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to ⁦‪@GraceOfAPhoenix‬⁩. [Hello sister. Guess who is back in Caldwell? Yep, it’s me. I’d love to catch up with you.] I hit send and smiles. Bennu and I were close when we were in the sanctuary. But she stayed in Caldwell and I ran. We had kept in touch and I was hoping we could reconnect now that I was back.

As the cab pulled up at Sal’s, I paid the driver and stepped out. The summer air was hot and thick. It seemed like an unusually hot summer here. I recalled the cold winters and knew it would be here before we knew it. Walking in the place was already buzzing. I checked in with iAm and then made my way to the hostess station to check the reservations like I did every night. Looking to see if the private room was booked. Tonight it was.

Twenty-three years ago, I left the house of the Chosen, unsure of what the future was going to hold for me. All my life had been spent with the others and I had no idea how to live on my own. Thankfully, the Brotherhood supported me financially, so I didn’t have to worry about that part of living life on my own. The rest of it turned out to be a total mess! I had refused the services of a doggen, so things like learning to do laundry was a feat in itself. My first attempt, I put way too much detergent in and there was foam for days on the floor of the laundry room. At that point, I decided that it would probably be prudent to have one of the doggen come out and at least give me some pointers.

Sara was her name. I knew her from the house, so I was already somewhat comfortable with her. She stayed for about a month, introducing me to things like laundry detergent pods, Swiffer Dusters, and Lysol. I had never been so grateful in all my life. After that, we decided that she would stop over once a week to check in on me.

The next thing on my list was a job. Interestingly enough, this was something I had to fight tooth and nail with Phury about. He didn’t want me to work. He was terrified that having a Chosen in the workforce was going to be too difficult to keep tabs on and keep secure. But, I needed something to occupy my time. I wasn’t going to just sit around, in my condo all day, even if it did have a rooftop pool and a small gym. There were other things I wanted out of life. I kept my job as Chosen and once a week I went back to the manse and fed anyone that needed it that evening. But, for the remaining six days a week, I needed something.

Phury tried to talk me into taking a position at one of our friend’s places, and I tried, I did. But, waitressing only held my interest for a few years. After that I tried cocktail waitressing. Phury really wasn’t happy with that, but at least it was at Trez’s place. Again, it was fun, but I needed something that challenged me more.

Phury next suggested that I go to medical school and work with medical team at the manse. That wasn’t going to work for me, though. I had left the manse for a reason and one night a week there was enough. However, the idea of school intrigued me. So, I looked over the curriculum for schools in the area and ones where I could take courses online. I finally decided on a career in massage, which turned out to be perfect because I loved helping people, and the school had night classes. Phury wasn’t the only one to end up furious about that decision. The Brotherhood was terrified about security. But, I was determined and once I agreed that I would work out of Havers’ clinic, they felt a little better.

I ended up working for Havers for about five years. As much as I loved the way the detailed tissue manipulation could heal the physical body, I knew there was more that I could do with it. I wanted to heal the body mentally. So, after five years of working with Havers, I went off to do some work at Safe Place. The work was so rewarding. These women and children needed to heal their hearts, they needed to remember what it meant to be able to relax for a while, and most importantly, they needed a reminder that not all touch was bad. Knowing that I could do that for them was so fulfilling. So, I’ve spent the past ten years working at Safe Place, healing the minds of the survivors.

#ChanceEncounter

Destiny:

Scrolling through the job ads for the Caldwell are, I made a note of a couple but being that I am limited to evenings only, there weren’t a lot of options besides bars.  I have done the bar/club scene more than I care to mention and really didn’t want to go down that route again.  There were several waitress positions around the area and the one for Sal’s sounded promising.  A waitress/hostess position which listed the hours needed were for later evenings.  It was a place to start anyway.  I decided to change into something nice and head down to apply in person tonight.  No time like the present, right?  As I stared at my reflection, a memory from the past popped into my mind as they often do any time I wear anything white.  I was in the sanctuary all dressed white waiting to be called to service that one special male again.  I shook the thoughts from my mind and went to my bag digging for shoes.  Being back in Caldwell was sure playing havoc with my mind.   I picked up my phone and made a quick call for a taxi and then made my way to the lobby to wait.   There were several people rummaging around and I felt like all eyes were on me.   The taxi arrived and the trip to Sal’s was actually shorter than I thought.   Just ten minutes out.   That will be good for the time being.   I walked into Sal’s and asked for the manager and when a very attractive male walked over and I introduced myself and brought up the job.   The position had not been filled and he asked me to follow him to the office towards the back. The place was extremely busy and very few tables were empty.  After a short interview, he asked when I could start and I told him anytime as I had just moved back to Caldwell and have no other commitments at this time.    He said he would let me know in a few days and walked me out of the office.   He offered me a seat at the bar towards the back of the restaurant which I happily accepted.   I hadn’t had a good meal in a few days and my stomach was growling through the whole meeting just from the smell.  I ordered a drink and the special for the night then pivoted on my stool to look around the restaurant.  I noticed the private section of the restaurant and heard male voices coming from that direction, even laughter.  I couldn’t help but be curious about who would be sitting back there.   One voice came through the rest and it gave me chills. It was a familiar voice but I wasn’t sure why.   Must just be my imagination.  

Wrath:

Vishous, Syn, and Peyton had decided that things had been way too strenuous on me lately and I needed a night out. My only stipulation in agreeing was that we didn’t head out to one of the many nightclubs in town. That, they determined, was a fair request. It was one thing to get out of the manse to blow off some steam, it was totally another to bring the King of the race straight to any one of the nightclubs that the new lessening society knew we, as Brothers, spent time. Not that I was a slouch by any means, but I was blind, and in a place where the music was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think, I was at a severe disadvantage, especially seeing as this new breed of lessers didn’t have quite the stench that the others did. You barely knew these ones were coming.

So, in the end, the males elected for Sal’s. A smaller scale restaurant, with a bar, subtle sounds of traditional Italian music rolling off the speakers, and incredible eats. Yeah, I could deal with a night of that.

We weren’t there 5 minutes before iAm came out to greet us and make sure we were happy with the service. He ensured us that we were being taken care of by only his best wait staff. But, to not hesitate to ask for him, should we feel his employees were not meeting our needs. We assured him that the staff was taking excellent care of us and he need not worry. Once reassured, he took a load off and joined us at the table for a couple, okay a few drinks on the house. It wasn’t long before we were all enjoying the time, outside of the manse, away from the stressors of my job and the fight we had been dealing with on the daily for what seemed like eons. It was as if we had carved out this one night and set it aside from everything. It felt easy to just relax for the brief moments of time we had here.

Destiny:

As I sat waiting for my dinner, the old saying curiosity killed the cat kept running through my mind.  I was definitely curious about who was back in that section. But I didn’t feel like I could actually take a peek though.   My dinner was delivered and I tried my best to put the thoughts of the males’ bantering out of my mind.  The man who interviewed me came back over to where I was seated. He brought with him another male and introduced me to him letting the male know I had applied for the open position. He was iAm and apparently the male in charge.   He had a few questions of his own as to experience and my availability during the day.  I explained quickly that I would only be open to an evening position. Before he could say anything else, a male from the private section walked out and I immediately knew who he was. Well, not who but what he was. He was one of the Brothers I had seen during my visits to the mansion.  His intense crystal gaze went from me to iAm and he motioned to the room behind him.  I sunk in my seat sure he would have no idea who or what I was.   That was the last thing I wanted to happen.  iAm followed the male and I took a deep breath staring down at my meal wondering if I should just leave.   But again, curiosity was coursing through my veins and I wanted to know who else could possibly be there.  

Wrath:

As soon as the meals came out from the kitchen, iAm got called back to work. He promised to come back out and check in with us, one more time, before we finished up and disappeared.

Conversation stayed light for about 15 more minutes before business got brought up by Peyton. The kid never learned. Always wanting to know, what was next? How were we going to hit the fuckers, now? You know the old saying, “He’s got ants in his pants?” Yeah, well, this was the type of kid they had in mind when they came up with it. He never stopped. Every chance he got to bend my ear, he did. I’m not saying the kid was brimming over with ideas. It’s just that he had that ram kind of mindset. The one where you go into every situation, guns out and blazing. He never understood the whole process of planning out a strategic attack. V, in his usual frustration with him, got up and walked off for a time. He can only take so much of Peyton, once the kid starts going.

I let him ramble on for a bit, before Syn finally cut him off. “Jesus, fuck, kid! We’re here, at a restaurant, trying to enjoy a nice meal. Don’t ya think he hears enough of that shit back at the manse? Chill your ass out.”

I could hear Peyton shift in his seat. “Whatever, man.” All these years later and the kid still felt out of sorts around Syn. I guess it was good for him to have a healthy respect for us, more experienced warriors.

A few minutes of awkward silence and V came back to join us. “Good, you’re done. I’ve got dessert headed our way.”

Destiny:

The grumbling in my stomach answered my question about leaving.  Not until I ate the pasta that had been placed in front of me.  I pulled out my phone and pulled up additional job opportunities while I ate.  This place would be perfect for me but I’m not sure I would get the job.   If they want someone who is available during the day too, I’m not an option.  This has to be the best pasta I had ever eaten and I actually ate every single bite.  I ordered dessert and a glass of wine and kept scrolling. My attention only partially focusing on my phone.  I kept wishing the male from the manse would come back out and bring along whoever is back there with him. I did not expect anyone to recognize me for who or what I was, which was a good thing.   I wanted to stay independent but I thought maybe, just maybe, I would recognize the others.  I shook my head not even sure why that would matter. I didn’t want that part of my life back.  Maybe it would just have given me a feeling of security.  Something I have not had in a long time.  My dessert was delivered along with the wine and I sat back, watching the waiters and staff.  This place ran smooth and classy.  Glancing down at my dessert and then my phone I realized I had been here for over two hours.  I asked for my check and if my dessert could be packed to go.  It would be another lonely night and I guessed my dessert would be my bedtime snack.  The waiter asked me to stay a bit longer as iAm wanted to speak with me again and he was just checking in on some guests who would be heading out for the night and would be over in a few. Obviously I said I would.

Wrath:

The dessert in this place had always been my favorite, everything from the cannoli to the Italian ice, to the tiramisu. The tiramisu being my all-time favorite. There were nights that Fred would drive all the way into the city, just to pick up some of Sal’s tiramisu. He’d been trying to bribe iAm for the recipe, for years, but iAm wouldn’t budge. So instead, Fred would trek all the way here just to get me one slice. Tonight I savored every bite.

V had been right. I really needed this night away. Even if it were just for a few hours and out to Sal’s, it had done exactly what he said it would. It had given me a small break in what had seemed to be a never ending shit storm that we had been experiencing, as of late.

iAm boxed up a few more desserts for us to take with and we collected our jackets and began to head out. As we filed through the dining room, I caught a whiff of a scent that literally stopped me in my tracks. It was rose-scented jasmine, wrapped up in the sensation of silk on my bare skin… and it stank of memories of Beth’s death. I had never sensed such a conflicted disturbance in my life. On the one hand, my cock was straining against the strength of my leathers, and on the other, I wanted to vomit up the whole of my meal and start a mass destruction of everything in the place. I could feel the aggression taking control as a massive growl grew from the depths of my gut.

“Woah, man.” I felt a shove from behind. “What say, we get you out of this place and head home? True?”

It was enough to shake me from my thoughts long enough to get my feet moving again.

Destiny:

(I was just taking a last sip of wine as my eyes caught the males in the reflection in the mirror behind the bar. A couple of males I did not recognize lead the way heading directly behind me and then I saw him and I almost dropped the empty glass.  He was as I remembered him.  Massive in stature and the aura of his power and royalty were obvious. My pulse increased and I felt the urge to fall to my knees before him but I did not move.  My eyes watched his reflection as he walked closer heading towards the door, the crystal-eyed male on his heals.  He walked right behind me and just as he passed me, his steps faltered for just a moment and I swear I heard a growl but then the male behind him spoke and they moved to the door and were gone.  

My heart was racing and imagines of the feedings, his sorry and pain flooded my body.   All of the emotions hitting me as it has then.  iAm suddenly appeared beside me starling me.  He said the job was mine and I could start as soon as I wanted if I was truly interested.  I’m not sure if the look of shock on my face was from the job offer or because the past had just slapped me in the face.  I needed this opportunity and I accepting hoping I hadn’t just made a grave mistake.  Could I keep my identity a secret? He asked me to come back the following night for training and I agreed then picked up my purse and to-go bag and headed to the door.  As I stepped out, I scanned the street wishing for another glance of those males.  Shaking my head to stop those thoughts, I stepped into the shadows and dematerialized back to my hotel room for the night.